Comparison of the X-ray observations of the AM Herculis objects to theory

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/162495· OSTI ID:6696356

Imamura, J N

The authors reexamine the X-ray observations of the original AM Her objects (AM Her, VV Pup, EF Eri, and AN UMa). The authors work differs from that carried out previously in that the authors compare the observed X-ray spectral properties to theoretical models calculated using a dipolar accretion geometry rather than a spherically symmetric one, and the authors compare the observed X-ray light curves to theoretical light curves calculated assuming that the X-ray sources are cataclysmic variable-like binaries which contain a strongly magnetic white dwarf. The added constraints offered by the light curve properties restrict the possible kinds of X-ray emission scenarios in some cases. For instance, the authors find that the X-ray observations of AM Her can be self-consistently explained by accretion powered radiative shock models. Further, the observations cannot be self-consistently explained by conduction dominated models as has been suggested by previous workers. 45 references, 8 figures.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6696356
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 285; 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
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
VARIABLE STARS
WHITE DWARF STARS
X RADIATION