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A MODEL OF WHITE DWARF PULSAR AR SCORPII

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal Letters
;  [1];  [2]
  1. School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046 (China)
  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV 89154 (United States)
A 3.56 hr white dwarf (WD)–M dwarf (MD) close binary system, AR Scorpii, was recently reported to show pulsating emission in radio, IR, optical, and UV, with a 1.97 minute period, which suggests the existence of a WD with a rotation period of 1.95 minutes. We propose a model to explain the temporal and spectral characteristics of the system. The WD is a nearly perpendicular rotator, with both open field line beams sweeping the MD stellar wind periodically. A bow shock propagating into the stellar wind accelerates electrons in the wind. Synchrotron radiation of these shocked electrons can naturally account for the broadband (from radio to X-rays) spectral energy distribution of the system.
OSTI ID:
22654166
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal Letters, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 831; ISSN 2041-8205
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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