Other
Scientific paper
Jun 1980
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980lastr..94..281b&link_type=abstract
L'Astronomie, vol. 94, June 1980, p. 281-291. In French.
Other
Eclipsing Binary Stars, Novae, Sagittarius Constellation, Stellar Spectrophotometry, Histories, Light Curve, Mass Transfer, Stellar Luminosity, Stellar Magnitude, Stellar Models, White Dwarf Stars
Scientific paper
The observational history of the recurrent nova WZ Sagittae, which has been observed to increase rapidly in magnitude from around 15 to 7 or 8, is reviewed, and a model proposed to explain the system is presented. The nova was discovered during an outbreak in 1913, in which it attained a magnitude of 7.2, and observed spectroscopically over the course of the next 33 years, when a new explosion was observed as an increase in magnitude from 14.4 to 7.7 in less than 48 h. Spectrophotometric observations made since revealed an irregular oscillation between magnitudes of 14.4 and 14.8, and spectroscopic investigation showed the nova to be a spectroscopic binary with an unusually short period (80 min). The most recent outburst was detected in 1978, accompanied by rapid variations in magnitude, with similar rise and fall characteristics to the other observed outbursts. Observations are consistent with a model of WZ Sagittae as an eclipsing binary dwarf nova composed of a late-type star and a white dwarf in which mass transfer from the filled Roche lobe of the late star to a hot spot on an accretion disk surrounding the dwarf provides the major source of luminosity. A mechanism for the periodic outbursts of the system, however, has not been determined.
Bertaud Ch.
Stram E.
No associations
LandOfFree
WZ Sagittae - A recurrent nova 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 WZ Sagittae - A recurrent nova, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and WZ Sagittae - A recurrent nova will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1217495