Short-term line-profile variability of gamma 2 Velorum - evidence fora compact companion ?
Abstract
Observational data are presented which show that the line profile of the emission complex at λ465 nm (C III-IV) in γ2Velorum varies on a time scale of a few minutes. The observed variability occurs on the blue wing of the profile. This phenomenon is interpreted as arising from the presence of a neutron star within the extended envelope of the WC8 star. The suggested model requires the neutron star to be periodically eclipsed. The predicted maximum orbital period of the neutron star about the WC8 star is ≡5.4 days. The absence of a hard X-ray flux from γ2Velorum and its significance for the proposed model is discussed.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1086/113887
- Bibcode:
- 1985AJ.....90.1852J
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Companion Stars;
- Neutron Stars;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Variable Stars;
- Wolf-Rayet Stars;
- Eclipsing Binary Stars;
- Line Spectra;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Stellar Models;
- Astrophysics