Polarization variability among Wolf-Rayet stars. VI. Linear polarimetry of the eclipsing binary V444 Cygni

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169051· OSTI ID:6440249

Robert, C; Moffat, A F.J.; Bastien, P; -Louis, N; Drissen, L ^[1]

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1. Montreal Universite, Montreal (Canada)

Precision broad-band blue light monitoring in linear polarization of the bright Cygnus W-R + O system V444 Cyg is reported. Analysis of the data yields an orbital inclination i = 78.5 deg, in good agreement with previous estimates based on polarimetry and on the analysis of light curves. In addition, V444 Cyg shows rapid polarimetric modulation around phase 0.5, when the O star companion eclipses the scattering electrons located primarily in the dense inner W-R wind. Simple modeling of the polarization eclipse based on a spherical electron envelope around the W-R star yields a satisfactory fit to the data. This model also supports the small value of the W-R core radius previously proposed by other authors. 35 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6440249
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 359; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• 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 ANALYSIS
ECLIPSE
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORING
POLARIMETRY
POLARIZATION
SCATTERING
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR WINDS
VARIATIONS
WOLF-RAYET STARS