DIRECT DETECTION OF THE L-DWARF DONOR IN WZ SAGITTAE

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-637X/816/1/4· OSTI ID:22521745

Harrison, Thomas E. ^[1]

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1. Department of Astronomy, New Mexico State University, Box 30001, MSC 4500, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001 (United States)

Analysis of a large set of phase-resolved K-band spectra of the cataclysmic variable WZ Sge shows that the secondary star of this system appears to be an L-dwarf. Previous K-band spectra of WZ Sge found that the CO overtone bandheads were in emission. We show that absorption from the {sup 12}CO{sub (2,0)} bandhead of the donor star creates a dip in the {sup 12}CO{sub (2,0)} emission feature. Measuring the motion of this feature over the orbital period, we construct a radial velocity curve that gives a velocity amplitude of K{sub abs} = 520 ± 35 km s{sup −1}, consistent with the previously published values for this parameter.

• OSTI ID: 22521745
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 816, Issue 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTION
DIAGRAMS
DWARF STARS
EMISSION SPECTRA
NOVAE
RADIAL VELOCITY