Temporal polarization variations of Be stars. III. The polarimetric behaviour of X Persei.
Abstract
Polarimetric data of X Per, originally presented by Kemp and Barbour (1983), are reassessed in terms of a stochastic behaviour model considering a single star with an active region. Investigation of the data density distribution in the Stokes parameter plane leads to the determination of an axial frame related to the star (the projection of its equator) with the stellar inclination 50°±10° and the mean co-latitude of the polarigenic activity at ≡15°. A rotation period of 23h.95±0h.05 has been determined which together with the deduced geometry indicates that X Per is an oblique rotator with magnetic poles collimating the scattering material. Both comparisons of the geometry deduced from the time-independent study with that from the polarimetric periodicities and tests with computer generated data promote the oblique rotator model in preference to the binary model as proposed by Kemp and Barbour.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- January 1988
- Bibcode:
- 1988A&A...190...93C
- Keywords:
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- B Stars;
- Periodic Variations;
- Polarization Characteristics;
- Statistical Distributions;
- Stochastic Processes;
- Time Dependence;
- Polarimetry;
- Statistical Tests;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Astrophysics