X-ray spectra and the rotation-activity connection of RS Canum Venaticorum binaries

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163809· OSTI ID:5658607

Majer, P; Schmitt, J H.M.M.; Golub, L; Harnden, JR, F R; Rosner, R

Results are presented from a survey of RS CVn binaries which were observed with the imaging proportional counter (IPC) on board the Einstein Observatory. Spectral analyses of the IPC pulse height spectra show that the coronae of RS CVn binaries always contain hot gas with temperatures in excess of 10 to the 7th K, similar to active late-type main-sequence stars, and that at least two temperature components are necessary to account for the higher quality IPC spectra (when absorption is unimportant). It is argued that these bimodal temperature distributions found by the IPC are indicative of true distributions of emission measure versus temperature that are continuous (just as is the case of magnetically confined coronal plasma loops observed on the sun). It is further shown that none of the derivable x-ray characteristics of RS CVn binaries depend on rotation period, implying that previous claims of period-activity relationships in RS CVn binaries were unfounded. 44 references.

• Research Organization: Wroclaw Uniwersytet, Poland; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, West Germany; Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 5658607
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 300; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BINARY STARS
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
SPECTRA
STARS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
X-RAY SPECTRA