Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the X-ray Transient CI Cam

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Hst Proposal Id #8138 Binary Stars

Scientific paper

The transient X-ray source XTE J0421+560 erupted on 1998 March 31. Transient X-ray sources are all binary stars that contain an accreting neutron star or black hole, but the XTE J0421+560 binary system is unusual and possibly unique. It emitted strong, non-thermal radio flux during its eruption and possibly ejected a pair of relativistic jets. The eruption decayed in a few days, more rapidly than most X-ray transients. CI Cam, the optical counterpart of XTE J0421+560, is the brightest known X-ray transient, allowing high- resolution measurements of its spectrum. Its optical and near- infrared spectrum is dominated by strong emission lines, with remarkably strong Fe II emission. The spectrum shows that there is a complex circumstellar environment containing at least two or possibly three kinematically and thermally distinct shells. There is also a high velocity wind, which may have been produced during the outburst. We will obtain the first ultraviolet spectrum of CI Cam. Using the MAMA echelle gratings we will measure: the ultraviolet continuum, the reddening, the line profiles, and the Fe II emission line ratios. From these data will determine whether the system is a high-- or low--mass X-ray binary, the wind structure, the physical conditions in the shells and the accretion flow, and the cause of the anomalously strong Fe II emission.

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