First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries

Details First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries

Apr 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009sptz.prop60108w&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #60108

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Jets are a ubiquitous feature in many different astrophysical objects. They are found in extragalactic sources such as quasars and active galactic nuclei, in Galactic X-ray binary systems, and in newly forming young stellar objects. While the occurrence of jets is clearly connected to accretion processes in all of these objects, the exact mechanism for initiating the outflow and the roles specific parameters play in these wildly different sources are poorly understood. We propose to explore jet properties in the physically smallest systems among the XRBs, the ultracompact XRBs. The known ultracompact XRBs harbor a neutron star accretor and have orbital periods of less than an hour, requiring non-main sequence donor stars (typically a C/O white dwarf). The formation rate of ultracompact XRBs could be higher than that of hydrogen-rich (i.e., main sequence donor) XRBs, making them a significant - if currently poorly sampled - part of the Galactic population of interacting binary stars. Ultracompact XRBs are important to jet studies, because they expand the parameter space in physical size and chemical composition compared to XRBs with main sequence donors. The main focus of our observing program is to, for the first time, study the behavior of an XRB jet across several orbital cycles, by obtaining mid-infrared light curves of the ultracompact XRBs 4U 0614+091 and 4U 1626-67. Our observations are designed to characterize both orbital variations and long-term secular variations. No similar studies of jets in normal XRBs have been carried out because of lack of persistent jets, need to observe in the mid-IR, and prohibitively long orbital periods (several hours to tens of days). Because of their short periods, ultracompact XRBs are the only XRBs that allow continuous study over several orbital cycles. Currently, we only know what XRB jets look like in instantaneous snapshots; we do not have any information about their orbitally-resolved behavior. This Spitzer program will remedy that unfortunate situation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries 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 First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and First Multi-Orbit Time Series Observations of Jets in Ultracompact X-ray Binaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1865589