Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7757m&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #7757
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #7757 Binary Stars
Scientific paper
The 7 s X-ray pulsar X1626-67 is one of the rare cases in which an X-ray pulsar is a member of a low mass X-ray binary {LMXB} system. The optical counterpart {KZ TrA} exhibits optical pulsations with the same period as the X-ray pulsations. No Dopppler variations due to orbital motion in the X-ray pulse arrival times have been detected, but an additional lower frequency optical sideband pulsation indicates a probable orbital period of about 40 min. The system has the smallest known mass function of any binary system mbox{f{M}<=sssim 10^-6 M_odot} and its evolutionary history is still a puzzle. We propose to use the HST to obtain time resolved spectra over the 40 min orbit. The optical spectrum of KZ TrA is almost featureless and provides few model constraints. In the UV, however, the spectra of LMXBs are usually characterized by numerous strong emission lines due to the ionizing flux of the incident X-rays. The line fluxes and ratios constrain the size, density, and degree of ionization in the emission region and are an invaluable tool in determining the physical conditions in the system. Monitoring of the line flux variations over the orbital cycle will constrain the location of the emission region in the system. We will also search for UV pulsations with the 7 s period in the continuum and the lines, which could be very strong.
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