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Title: X-ray-selected candidates for the RS CVn and W UMa classes of binary stars

Journal Article · · Astronomical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115170· OSTI ID:5402787
; ;  [1]
  1. Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, CO (USA)

X-ray luminosity, spectral type, radial-velocity variation, rotationally broadened line profile, and Ca II H and K line emission data are used to identify 12 new candidates for the RS CVn class and seven new candidates for the W UMa class from spectroscopic binaries which are contained in the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey. Under the assumption that the candidates are genuine members of each class, local space density estimates of 4.47 + or - 1.19 x 10 to the -4th/cu pc for RS CVn binaries and 8.47 + or - 3.00 x 10 to the -5th/cu pc for W UMa binaries are found. Although the density estimate for the W UMa binaries is shown to be consistent with previous estimates obtained from optically selected samples, the estimate for the RS CVn binaries is more than an order of magnitude greater than previously determined space densities. 40 refs.

OSTI ID:
5402787
Journal Information:
Astronomical Journal; (USA), Vol. 98; ISSN 0004-6256
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English