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A. E. Lynas-Gray

Publications and source records attributed to A. E. Lynas-Gray.

20 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

New VI photometry of the sdOB binary AA Dor and an improved photometric model

New VI CCD photometry, obtained with integration times of 20s, of the sdOB+degenerate-dwarf eclipsing binary system AA Dor has provided new complete light curves with an rms scatter about a mean curve of +/-0.004 mag. These data are analysed with an improved Light2 light curve synthesis code to yield more accurate determinations of the radii of both stars, the orbital inclination, and the flux ratio between the two components. These radii are only a little different from the values derived 25 years ago from less complete data, but the uncertainties on these values are improved by a factor of two. The apparent discrepancy remains between the surface gravity of the sdOB primary star obtained from the light-curve solution with the published spectroscopic orbit and that obtained from NLTE analysis of high-resolution spectra of the sdOB star. The substantial reflection effect in the system is adequately represented by the Light2 code with a bolometric albedo of unity in light curves extending from 0.35 microns to 2.2 microns. However there are differences at individual wavelengths in the derived albedo, which may indicate redistribution of flux from shorter wavelengths into the V and I passbands.

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The separation of the stars in the binary nucleus of the planetary nebula Abell 35

Using the Planetary Camera on board the Hubble Space Telescope we have measured the projected separation of the binary components in the nucleus of the planetary nebula Abell 35 to be larger than 0.08 arcsecs but less than 0.14 arcsecs. The system was imaged in three filters centered at 2950, 3350 and 5785 Ang. The white dwarf primary star responsible for ionizing the nebula is half as bright as its companion in the 2950 Ang filter causing the source to be visibly elongated. The 3350 Ang setting, on the other hand, shows no elongation as a result of the more extreme flux ratio. The F300W data allows the determinination of the binary's projected separation. At the minimum distance of 160 parsec to the system, our result corresponds to 18+/-5 AU. This outcome is consistent with the wind accretion induced rapid rotation hypothesis, but cannot be reconciled with the binary having emerged from a common-envelope phase.

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