Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables

Details Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables

2010-07-20

arxiv.org/abs/1007.3319v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

ApJ, accepted

Scientific paper

We present the results of a multi-component synthetic spectral analysis of the archival far ultraviolet spectra of several key nova-like variables including members of the SW Sex, RW Tri, UX UMa and VY Scl subclasses: KR Aur, RW Tri, V825 Her, V795 Her, BP Lyn, V425 Cas and HL Aqr. Accretion rates as well as the possible flux contribution of the accreting white dwarf are included in our analysis. Except for RW Tri which has a reliable trigonometric parallax, we computed the distances to the nova-like systems using the method of Knigge (2006). Our analysis of seven archival IUE spectra of RW Tri at its parallax distance of 341 pc consistently indicates a low mass (0.4Msun) white dwarf and an average accretion rate, 6.3 E-9Msun/yr. For KR Aur, we estimate that the white dwarf has Teff=29,000K, log g = 8.4 and contributes 18% of the FUV flux while an accretion disk with accretion rate of 3 E-10Msun/yr at an inclination of 41 degrees, contributes the remainder. We find that an accretion disk dominates the far UV spectrum of V425 Cas but a white dwarf contributes non-negligibly with approximately 18% of the FUV flux. For the two high state nova-likes, HL Aqr and V825 Her, their accretion disks totally dominate with 1 E-9Msun/yr and 3 E-9Msun/yr, respectively. For BP Lyn we find an accretion rate of 1 E-8Msun/yr while for V795 Her, we find an accretion rate of 1 E-10Msun/yr. We discuss the implications of our results for the evolutionary status of nova-like variables.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables 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 Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Seven Nova-Like Variables will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-124913