Cygnus X-1/HDE 226868 - Long-term circular polarization variability

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (2) References (16) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Cygnus X-1/HDE 226868: long-term circular polarization variability. Michalsky, J. J. ; Stokes, G. M. ; Stokes, R. A. Abstract The first two years of observations of the Cyg X-1/HDE 226868 system are reviewed, and results are reported for recent measurements of the system's blue (centered at 4500 A) circular and linear polarization. The recent polarization results indicate a real change in time-averaged circular polarization at the 4.2-sigma confidence level but no significant variation in either circular or linear polarization. A qualitative model of the system is outlined which tentatively attributes the long-term pattern changes in both circular polarization and X-ray flux to changing disk structure about the degenerate source. Evidence supporting a correlation between X-ray photometry and circular polarimetry is discussed. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: October 1978 DOI: 10.1086/156520 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...225..599M Keywords: Binary Stars; Circular Polarization; X Ray Astronomy; X Ray Stars; Astronomical Photometry; Polarimetry; Stellar Magnetic Fields; Stellar Models; Astrophysics; Accretion Disks:X-Ray Binaries; Polarization:X-Ray Binaries; X-Ray Binaries: Models full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1)