Mass Transfer and Loss in Algol Binaries with Short Periods and Early B-Type Primaries
Abstract
IUE observations are proposed of the Algol binaries Z Vul (B3V + A2III, P=2.46 days) and FV Sco (B3V + A2III:, P=5.73 days) over one cycle in their orbits to investigate the effect of the cross-section and temperature of the primary on the mass transfer and mass loss in the system. Both systems contain early B primaries (probably with weak winds) that present a large enough cross-section to impede the flow of the gas stream. According to theoretical expectations, the gas stream in these systems should be narrow, highly focused, and will strike the primary instead of feeding an accretion disk. The lack of H-alpha emission in these systems supports this suggestion. I will look for evidence of a hot spot at the predicted site of gas stream impact and a high temperature plasma on the trailing side of the binary and between the stars that may be generated from the gas stream collision and/or subsequent splash. One archival IUE image of FV Sco has indeed revealed the presence of a 10^6 K plasma at phase 0.76, which may generated by a splash. The circumstellar material in Z Vul and FV Sco will be compared with that in AU Mon and CX Dra, systems also with early B primaries but larger separations. Any mass loss at phase 0.5 or elsewhere will be compared with the inferred rate of mass transfer and with that observed in AU Mon and other systems. Finally I will look for evidence of carbon depletion in these systems as we have found in other Algols with A-F secondaries.
- Publication:
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IUE Proposal
- Pub Date:
- 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994iue..prop.4819P