The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis
Abstract
DQ Herculis (=Nova Herculis 1934) is a deeply eclipsing cataclysmic variable containing a magnetic white dwarf primary. The spin of the white dwarf is indirectly detected in the optical as a 71-s oscillation, which is believed to be due to reprocessing in the accretion disk of X-ray and EUV radiations from the poles. The accretion disk is thought to block our line of sight to the white dwarf at all orbital phases. Nevertheless, soft X-rays have been detected from DQ Her with ROSAT PSPC. We present preliminary results of our Chandra ACIS imaging observations of DQ Her, confirming the ROSAT detection. The point-like X-ray source exhibits a partial eclipse which is shallow but flat-bottomed. We discuss the possible location and size of the X-ray emitting region(s).
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001AAS...199.6211M