Detection of the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24
Abstract
We have detected the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24. The I-band light curve is modulated on the 9.5-min period seen in X-rays. There is no evidence for any other periods. No significant modulation is seen in J. The infrared colours of RX J1914+24 are not consistent with a main-sequence dwarf secondary star. Our ASCA spectrum of RX J1914+24 is typical of a heavily absorbed polar and our ASCA light curve also shows only the 9.5-min period. We find that the folded I band and X-ray light curves are out of phase. We attribute the I-band flux to the irradiated face of the donor star. The long-term X-ray light curve shows a variation in the observed flux of up to an order of magnitude. These observations strengthen the view that RX J1914+24 is indeed the first double degenerate polar to be detected. In this light, we discuss the synchronizing mechanisms in such a close binary and other system parameters.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- January 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03065.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/9908042
- Bibcode:
- 2000MNRAS.311...75R
- Keywords:
-
- ACCRETION;
- ACCRETION DISCS;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL: RX J1914+24;
- NOVAE;
- CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES;
- X-RAYS: STARS;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS