arXiv subjects

S. Howell

Publications and source records attributed to S. Howell.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

HST/STIS spectroscopy of the exposed white dwarf in the short-period dwarf nova EK TrA

We present high resolution Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectroscopy of the dwarf nova EK TrA obtained in deep quiescence. The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph data reveal the broad Ly-alpha absorption profile typical of a moderately cool white dwarf, overlayed by numerous broad emission lines of He, C, N, and Si and by a number of narrow absorption lines, mainly of CI and SiII. Assuming a white dwarf mass in the range 0.3-1.4Msun we derive Teff=17500-23400K for the primary in EK TrA; Teff=18800K for a canonical mass of 0.6Msun. From the narrow photospheric absorption lines, we measure the white dwarf rotational velocity, v*sin i=200+-100kms. Even though the strong contamination of the photospheric white dwarf absorption spectrum by the emission lines prevents a detailed quantitative analysis of the chemical abundances of the atmosphere, the available data suggest slightly sub-solar abundances. The high time resolution of the STIS data allows us to associate the observed ultraviolet flickering with the emission lines, possibly originating in a hot optically thin corona above the cold accretion disk.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

High spectral and time resolution observations of the eclipsing polar RX J0719.2+6557

We present phase-resolved spectral and multicolor CCD-photometric observations of the eclipsing polar RX J0719.2+6557 obtained with relatively high time (~600 sec/15 sec) and spectral (2.1 A) resolution when the system was in a high accretion state. The trailed spectrograms clearly reveal the presence of three different line components with different width and radial velocity variation. We were able to resolve all three components by line deblending, and by means of Doppler tomography were able to unambiguously identify the emission components with the secondary star, the ballistic part of the accretion stream and the magnetically funnelled part of the stream. The light curves and eclipse profiles provide additional information about the system geometry.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

A New Cataclysmic Variable RX J0757.0+6306: Candidate for the Shortest Period Intermediate Polar

A new cataclysmic variable is identified as the optical counterpart of the faint and hard X-ray source RX J0757.0+6306 discovered during the ROSAT all-sky survey. Strong double-peaked emission lines bear evidence of an accretion disc via an S-wave which varies with a period of 81 +/- 5 min. We identify this period as the orbital period of the binary system. CCD photometry reveals an additional period of 8.52 +/- 0.15 min. which was stable over four nights. We suggest that RX J0757.0+6306 is possibly an intermediate polar, but we cannot exclude the possibility that it is a member of the SU UMa group of dwarf novae.

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arXiv1997

Polars -- multisite emission -- multiwavelength observation

We review the main observational characteristics of AM Herculis stars (polars) at X-ray, EUV, UV, IR and optical wavelengths. Particular emphasis is given to multi-epoch, multi-wavelength observations of the eclipsing polar HU Aqr (RX J2107.9-0518). In AM Herculis stars the broad-band spectral energy distribution from X-rays to the IR is governed by only very small structures: the hot accretion regions on the footpoints af accreting field lines. The most extended structures in the binary systems on the other hand, the mass-donating secondary stars and the accretion streams, distinctly appear only as Doppler-shifted emission or absorption lines. They can best be studied by investigating selected narrow spectral features in the optical, ultraviolet or the near infrared. In this contribution both aspects will be highlighted, the structure of the accretion regions as inferred from multi-wavelength observations with low or no spectral resolution, as well as the structure of the secondary stars and the accretion streams as inferred from high-resolution spectral observations and Doppler mapping.

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