The Nova-like star RW Sextantis

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

We have analyzed 17 medium resolution spectra of RW Sex taken in 1988 at La Silla in the spectral range is 4000-5000 Å with a dispersion of 60 Å/mm and spectral resolution of about 2 Å/pixel. The mean spectrum of the object shows the continuum energy distribution slightly brighter and steeper than that observed by Beuermann, Stasiewski and Schwope (1992). In both cases the slope seems to be steeper that the λ -2.33 power law predicted for standard accretion discs (see Warner 1995). This might be due to uncertain flux calibration or to the dramatic intrinsic variability of this nova-like system (Honeycutt et al. 1998). Like in Beuerman et al.'s, the hydrogen and the HeI lines appear in absorption with superimposed central emission components. Relatively weak emissions from HeII at λ λ 4542,4686 and the blend CIII+NIII at λ4640 -50 are also seen. The peaks of the narrow emissions components of Hβ , HeIλ4471 and HeIλ4922 have been measured using Gaussian fittings. The new ephemeris are: T0(HJD) = 2446486.5061 +/- 0.0010 + 0.245064 +/- 0.000004 The radial velocity curve produced by the absorption components of the hydrogen and the HeI lines are in antiphase with respect to that produced by the emission cores. The amplitudes of all the radial velocity curves are consistent with those shown by Beuermann, Stasiewski and Schwope (1992). According to these authors the absorption lines are produced in the optically thick accretion disc while the narrow emissions arise from the heated atmosphere of the secondary. We fail however to detect the broad emission components observed by these authors and attributed to the hot disc corona. This point should deserve future investigation.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Nova-like star RW Sextantis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Nova-like star RW Sextantis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Nova-like star RW Sextantis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1726837

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.