Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-03-04
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication on A&A Letters
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20020314
We carried out optical observations of the field of the X-ray pulsator RXJ0806.3+1527. A blue V=21.1 star was found to be the only object consistent with the X-ray position. VLT FORS spectra revealed a blue continuum with no intrinsic absorption lines. Broad (v~1500 km/s), low equivalent width (about -1/-6A) emission lines from the HeII Pickering series were clearly detected. B, V and R time-resolved photometry revealed the presence of about 15% pulsations at the 321s X-ray period, confirming the identification. These findings, together with the period stability and absence of any additional modulation in the 1min-5hr period range, argue in favour of the orbital interpretation of the 321s pulsations. The most likely scenario is thus that RXJ0806.3+1527 is a double degenerate system of the AM CVn class. This would make RXJ0806.3+1527 the shortest orbital period binary currently known and one of the best candidates for gravitational wave detection.
Appenzeller Immo
Campana Sergio
Covino Stefano
Gassler Wolfgang
Hummel Wolfgang
No associations
LandOfFree
RXJ0806.3+1527: a double degenerate binary with the shortest known orbital period (321s) 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 RXJ0806.3+1527: a double degenerate binary with the shortest known orbital period (321s), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and RXJ0806.3+1527: a double degenerate binary with the shortest known orbital period (321s) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-335871