Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-05-28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
7 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08073.x
V405 Aurigae is an intermediate polar showing a double-peaked pulsation in soft X-rays and a single-peaked pulsation in harder X-rays. From XMM-Newton observations we find that the soft band is dominated by blackbody emission from the heated white-dwarf surface. Such emission is at a maximum when either magnetic pole points towards us, explaining the double-peaked pulsation. The symmetry of the pulses requires that the angle between the magnetic and spin axes be high. The single-peaked pulsation in harder X-rays is explained in the usual way, as a result of opacity in the accretion curtains. However, the high dipole inclination means that the accretion curtains are nearly in the plane. Thus the outer regions of the curtains do not cross the line of sight to the accretion footprints, explaining the absence of the deep absorption dip characteristic of many intermediate polars. The sawtooth profile of this pulsation requires that the magnetic axis be offset from the white-dwarf centre. We remark also on the double-peaked optical emission in this star. We suggest that the difference between V405 Aur's spin pulse and those of other intermediate polars is the result of its high dipole inclination.
Evans Patricia A.
Hellier Coel
No associations
LandOfFree
Why does the intermediate polar V405 Aurigae show a double-peaked spin pulse? 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 Why does the intermediate polar V405 Aurigae show a double-peaked spin pulse?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Why does the intermediate polar V405 Aurigae show a double-peaked spin pulse? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-445665