Search for dust shells in W Ser binaries and similar object: RX Cassiopeiae and TX Ursae Majoris
Abstract
The results of UBVRJHKLM photometry for a strongly interacting W Ser binary (RX Cas) and an Algol-type system (TX UMa) are analyzed. The spectral classification of the stellar components of the binaries is made, and the sources of excess emission at wavelengths lambda 3.5 and 5 m are analyzed. The weak excess at lambda 5 microns are analyzed. The weak excess at lambda 5 microns in TX UMa is shown to be associated with the emission of an ionized shell with a volume emission measure ~ 2.7 x 10^57 cm^-3. The excess at lambda 3.5 and 5 microns in RX Cas is attributable to the emission of an optically thin circumstellar dust shell with a grain temperature ~ 600-700 K. The luminosity is ~ 3 x 10^33 erg s^-1, the radius of the dust shell is ~ 4.6 x 10^14 cm, the optical depth at lambda 1.25 microns is ~10^-3, and the mass is ~10^23 g.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997AstL...23..698T