The LMC Supersoft X-Ray Binary RX J0513.9-6951
Jul, 199519 pages
Published in:
- Astrophys.J. 456 (1996) 320-328
e-Print:
- astro-ph/9507029 [astro-ph]
DOI:
Report number:
- DAO-9523
View in:
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Abstract: (arXiv)
A detailed analysis of simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of the optical counterpart of the LMC supersoft X-ray source RX J0513.9-6951 (identified with HV 5682) is presented. The spectrum is dominated by He II emission lines and H + He II blends: no He I is observed but several higher ionization emission features, especially O VI (3811, 3834, and 5290A) are prominent. Radial velocity measurements suggest a binary period of 0.76 days. If the small velocity amplitude, K~11 km/s, is interpreted as orbital motion, this implies that the binary system contains a somewhat evolved star plus a relatively massive compact object, viewed nearly pole-on. No orbital photometric variations were found, although irregular brightness changes of ~0.3 mag occurred. Unusual emission lines are observed which cannot be identified except as high velocity (4000 km/s) bipolar outflows or jets. These outflows are seen in H and He II at the same positive and negative velocities. They were relatively stable for periods of ~5 days, but their velocities appear to have been ~250 km/s smaller in 1992 than in 1993 or 1994.Note:
- uuencoded compressed postscript, 19 pages including 4 tables. Figures available from authors. Also available at http://www.dao.nrc/DAO/SCIENCE/ . Accepted for publication in ApJ Report-no: DAO-9523
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