Interstellar absorption lines in high-resolution IUE spectra of cataclysmic variables

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166971· OSTI ID:6401238

Mauche, C W; Raymond, J C; Cordova, F A

High-resolution ultraviolet spectra of five cataclysmic variables obtained with the IUE are used to investigate the character of the interstellar medium in the vicinity of the sun. These spectra reveal narrow absorption features of neutral and singly ionized interstellar species, and, in SS Cyg, narrow velocity-shifted absorption features of C IV, Si IV, and Si III. Using the column densities implied by the absorption features of the neutral and singly ionized species, values for the depletion of Si, Mg, Mn, and Fe from the gas phase of the interstellar medium in the vicinity of the sun are obtained. These hydrogen column densities are of particular importance in constraining the soft X-ray luminosity of cataclysmic variables because of the severe attenuation of the soft X-ray flux of cataclysmic variables by photoelectric absorption in the interstellar medium. In addition, using the column densities implied by the absorption features of C IV, Si IV, and Si III in the spectrum of SS Cyg, the existence of an expanding H II region of interstellar gas photoionized by he EUV and soft X-ray flux of this cataclysmic variable are inferred. 78 references.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA (USA); Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6401238
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 335
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ABSORPTION
MILKY WAY
CARBON IONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONSTRAINTS
COSMIC GASES
DENSITY
H2 REGIONS
HYDROGEN
IRON
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
SILICON IONS
SOFT X RADIATION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IONS
METALS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPACE
SPECTRA
STARS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIABLE STARS
X RADIATION
640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640105 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies