Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1999-08-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03065.x
We have detected the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24. The I band light curve is modulated on the 9.5 min period seen in X-rays. There is no evidence for any other periods. No significant modulation is seen in J. The infrared colours of RX J1914+24 are not consistent with a main sequence dwarf secondary star. Our ASCA spectrum of RX J1914+24 is typical of a heavily absorbed polar and our ASCA light curve also shows only the 9.5 min period. We find that the folded I band and X-ray light curves are out of phase. We attribute the I band flux to the irradiated face of the donor star. The long term X-ray light curve shows a variation in the observed flux of up to an order of magnitude. These observations strengthen the view that RX J1914+24 is indeed the first double degenerate polar to be detected. In this light, we discuss the synchronising mechanisms in such a close binary and other system parameters.
Cropper Mark
Hakala Pasi
Mason Keith
Ramsay Gavin
Wu Kinwah
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