New evidence on the nature of the soft X-ray source in AM Herculis from HEAO 1

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (67) References (16) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS New evidence on the nature of the soft X-ray source in AM Herculis from HEAO 1. Tuohy, I. R. ; Lamb, F. K. ; Garmire, G. P. ; Mason, K. O. Abstract Results are reported for scanning observations of AM Herculis from HEAO 1 during the period September 22-October 12, 1977. The soft X-ray light curve constructed from the observations shows considerable scatter in intensity, together with clear evidence for a residual flux during X-ray minimum. At X-ray maximum the flux in the energy range 0.15-0.5 keV is typically 8 x 10 to the -10th power erg/sq cm per sec. The spectrum of AM Her is characterized by a sharp turnover at 0.2 keV and is well described by a blackbody model with absorption. There is no appreciable change in the spectrum with binary phase. The present observations, when combined with theoretical models, imply that the soft X-rays are produced by the heated surface of the degenerate dwarf component, and that the surface has a temperature of approximately 400,000 K and a luminosity about 30 times that observed at optical or hard X-ray wavelengths. AM Her is predicted to be a spectacular UV source, with an intrinsic UV luminosity comparable to that in soft X-rays. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1978 DOI: 10.1086/182821 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...226L..17T Keywords: Astronomical Spectroscopy; Binary Stars; Ultraviolet Astronomy; X Ray Stars; Black Body Radiation; Heao 1; Light Curve; Luminous Intensity; White Dwarf Stars; Astrophysics; AM Herculis:Soft X Rays; Spectra:X-Ray Binaries full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1)