Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris

Details Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris

Mar 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994a%26a...283..441r&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 283, no. 2, p. 441-454

Statistics

Computation

37

Accretion Disks, Cataclysmic Variables, Computational Astrophysics, Eclipsing Binary Stars, Emission Spectra, Light Curve, Narrowband, Spectrum Analysis, Absorption Spectra, Balmer Series, H Alpha Line, Ultraviolet Spectra

Scientific paper

We analyze narrow-band eclipse light curves of the nova-like cataclysmic variable UX UMa, obtained from low-resolution spectra spanning lambda lambda 3600-9800 A . The light curves for narrow bands in the continuum as well as those for individual spectral lines are treated independently, and are used to construct images of the accretion disk's brightness distribution using the maximum-entropy eclipse-mapping technique. Particular attention is paid to the propagation of statistical uncertainties in the data and to how the analysis may introduce systematic errors in the final result. From the many narrrow band images we have reconstructed the spectra from isolated parts of the accretion disk. These spectra reveal that the inner disk radiates a continuum spectrum which peaks in the near UV and has the hydrogen Balmer lines in absorption (with the exception of H-alpha), whereas the outer disk is much fainter, has a much redder spectrum, and has Balmer emission lines. Our analysis reveals the presence of an uneclipsed component of the total light, whose spectrum is very red and has Balmer lines in emission. This unexpected feature of the eclipse mapping technique offers a new tool for an independent assessment of the secondary star's spectrum in eclipsing cataclysmic variables.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris 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 Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spectral eclipse mapping of the accretion disk in the nova-like variable UX Ursae Majoris will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1870041