Nova MUSCAE 1991
Abstract
J. McClintock, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; C. Bailyn, Yale University; and R. Remillard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, communicate: "We obtained spectra (range 440-700 nm, resolution 0.5 nm) on Apr. 3 with the 4-m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory and photometric data during Apr. 3-8 with the CTIO 0.9-m and 1.5-m telescopes. The velocity amplitude and the orbital period were found to be K = 411 +/- 21 km/s and P = 10.42 +/- 0.04 hr (IAUC 5259). The large value of the mass function, f(M) = 3.1 +/- 0.5 solar masses, provides dynamical evidence that the primary is a black hole, as suggested by x-ray observers. Furthermore, the quiescent optical spectrum is strikingly similar to the spectrum of the black hole candidate A0620-00. The most notable spectral features are a K-dwarf component and broad, double-peaked Balmer emission lines (FWHM = 1800 km/s). No other emission lines are apparent in quiescence (V = 20.35 +/- 0.05). The lightcurve shows ellipsoidal variations with an amplitude of +/- 0.2 mag in the I band of and +/- 0.15 mag in a broad band that approximates B + V (IAUC 5451)."
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- April 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992IAUC.5499....2M