Observational constraint on the mass of SMC X-1.
Abstract
The masses of the components in the X-ray binary system SMC X-1/Sk 160 are estimated using presently available data including the recently measured X-ray mass function. In particular, the constraints implied by the optical ellipsoidal light curve, including the effects of X-ray heating, are studied. It is found that the mass of the X-ray star lies between 0.8 and 4.5 solar masses. The lower limit for the mass of the X-ray star is significantly smaller than the values calculated previously. Those observations are listed which can help narrow the range of masses.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1086/182365
- Bibcode:
- 1977ApJ...212L..17A
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Neutron Stars;
- Pulsars;
- Stellar Mass;
- X Ray Stars;
- Absorption Spectra;
- Eddington Approximation;
- Light Curve;
- Optical Measurement;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Velocity Distribution;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Astronomy