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Scientific paper
Jul 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004hst..prop10122s&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #10122
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Hst Proposal Id #10122 Hot Stars
Scientific paper
Recently, three variable stars have been identified as likely accreting binary systems with ultra-short orbital periods. Optical and X-ray observations have revealed periodicities of 5-10 minutes, making them the closest binaries known as well as strong sources of gravitational wave emission. Such short-period accreting binaries form the cornerstone to our understanding of binary formation and evolution, in particular of the large double white dwarf population in our galaxy, a candidate progenitor population for Type Ia supernovae. We propose to obtain the first UV observations of these objects using STIS in order to {i} determine the temperature of the primary and the composition of their donor stars, {ii} correlate the UV variability with other wavebands and determine if the periods are indeed orbital, {iii} look for dynamical signatures of direct-impact accretion that is expected to govern the survival rate of double white dwarfs. These UV observations are essential in order to unequivocally determine whether these are indeed the most compact binaries known.
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