The Measurement of the Masses of the Neutron Star, Hercules X-1, and its Binary Companion, HZ Hercules, as Derived from the Study of 1.24-SECOND Optical Pulsations from the HZ Hercules <----> Hercules X-1 Binary System and the X-Ray Reprocessing Reflection and Transmission Mechanisms.
Abstract
Intermittent optical pulsations at the 0.1 to 0.3 percent level were detected from this binary system in over 500 hours of optical observations. These pulsations are present only for well defined values of the 1.7-day (binary) and 35-day phases. Positions of the pulsation-emitting regions, projected onto the orbital plane, were measured, and three distinct regions were resolved. A simple model is put forth which accounts for the observed binary behavior, which gives a direct determination of the mass ratio and which establishes that the spin of the pulsar is prograde. Additionally it is shown that HZ Her fills its critical Roche lobe.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- December 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976PhDT.........9M
- Keywords:
-
- Physics: Astronomy and Astrophysics;
- Binary Stars;
- Light Transmission;
- Neutron Stars;
- Pulse Duration;
- Light Modulation;
- Mass Ratios;
- Pulsars;
- Roche Limit;
- Stellar Mass;
- Astrophysics