Discovery of Radio Emission from AE Aquarii
Abstract
VLA 1.4-GHz and 4.9-GHz observations of six DQ Her cataclysmic variables, obtained in the C/D hybrid configuration with 50-MHz bandwidth, 7-sec time resolution, and limiting flux density about 200 microJy on July 21, 1984, are reported. Variable radio emission with time scale less than 5 min, circular polarization less than 15 percent, and flux density 3-5 mJy at 1.4 GHz and 8-16 mJy at 4.9 GHz is detected from AE Aqr. This emission is tentatively attributed to synchrotron emission from mildly relativistic electrons, powered by the MHD torque coupling the magnetic white dwarf to either (1) a secondary with a strong magnetic field or (2) an accretion disk.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/185072
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...323L.131B
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- Magnetic Stars;
- Novae;
- Radio Emission;
- Accretion Disks;
- Circular Polarization;
- Flux Density;
- Stellar Magnetic Fields;
- Synchrotron Radiation;
- Very Large Array (Vla);
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Astrophysics;
- STARS: BINARIES;
- STARS: MAGNETIC;
- STARS: NOVAE;
- STARS: RADIO RADIATION