The Nova-like Variable WX Centauri and the V Sagittae Phenomenon

Time-resolved spectrophotometric observations of the nova-like variable WX Cen were presented. This object is identified as the second binary system with observational properties similar to V Sagittae and its orbital period is determined to be 10.0 h. Regardless of the long orbital period, no features of the secondary spectrum could be found in the optical spectrum. A distance of 1400⁺⁴⁰⁰_-200 pc and a color excess E(B - V)=0.4 are estimated. On the basis of He II and Balmer Doppler tomograms, the presence of a helium enhanced, semi-opaque wind is suggested and constraints on the dynamical solutions are derived. Considering the nondetection of x rays, possible scenarios for the nature of the stellar components are discussed in comparison with V Sagittae.