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Detection of the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24 |
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| Authors: | Gavin Ramsay Mark Cropper Kinwah Wu K O Mason Pasi Hakala |
| Institution: | Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT; Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Observatory and Astrophysics Lab, FIN-00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland |
| Abstract: | We have detected the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24. The I -band light curve is modulated on the 9.5-min period seen in X-rays. There is no evidence for any other periods. No significant modulation is seen in J . The infrared colours of RX J1914+24 are not consistent with a main-sequence dwarf secondary star. Our ASCA spectrum of RX J1914+24 is typical of a heavily absorbed polar and our ASCA light curve also shows only the 9.5-min period. We find that the folded I band and X-ray light curves are out of phase. We attribute the I -band flux to the irradiated face of the donor star. The long-term X-ray light curve shows a variation in the observed flux of up to an order of magnitude. These observations strengthen the view that RX J1914+24 is indeed the first double degenerate polar to be detected. In this light, we discuss the synchronizing mechanisms in such a close binary and other system parameters. |
| Keywords: | accretion accretion discs stars: individual: RX J1914+24 novae cataclysmic variables X-rays: stars |