Modified physical and geometric parameters of the eclipsing X-ray binary system Centaurus X-3

Abstract

Modified physical and geometric parameters for the eclipsing x-ray binary system Cen X-3 are presented. The parameters were estimated by comparing synthetic photometric light curves with the observed ones in an iterative method until the best fit was achieved. The synthetic light curves were constructed in accordance with the Roche model, since Cen X-3 is likely to be powered by Roche-lobe overflow. We focused on the phenomenon of x-ray heating of the side of the optical component facing the compact object. The parameters and present status of this work are briefly discussed.