Nature of the AM Herculis system (3U 1809+50)

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Sov. Astron. Lett. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5041285

Mitrofanov, I G; Pavlov, G G; Gnedin, Y N

The substantial linear and circular polarization of the optical radiation of AM Her is generated in the photosphere of a degenerate dwarf, a member of a close binary system, with a magnetic field strength B> or approx. =2 x 10/sup 8/ gauss. The distance of the system is > or approx. =10 pc. X rays are produced by accretion of matter onto the magnetized dwarf. The nondegenerate star is embedded in the dwarf's magnetosphere. Nonsteady mass transfer would explain the variability in the ultraviolet and x-ray brightness and the flare activity of AM Her.

• Research Organization: Ioffe Physics and Technology Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences, Leningrad
• OSTI ID: 5041285
• Journal Information: Sov. Astron. Lett. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Astron. Lett. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 3:4; ISSN SALED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
BINARY STARS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DWARF STARS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
POLARIZATION
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR RADIATION