ASYMMETRIC MASS ACCRETION IN THE MAGNETIC CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE RE-1149+28

Citation
Sb. Howell et al., ASYMMETRIC MASS ACCRETION IN THE MAGNETIC CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE RE-1149+28, The Astrophysical journal, 439(2), 1995, pp. 991-995
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Journal title
ISSN journal
0004637X
Volume
439
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Part
1
Pages
991 - 995
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-637X(1995)439:2<991:AMAITM>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
We present the first detailed extreme ultraviolet photometric observat ions of a magnetic cataclysmic variable. Our two EUVE observations of the AM Her star RE 1149+28 were obtained about 1 yr apart and show lig ht-curve variations on orbital to yearly timescales, as well as long-t erm mean flux level changes of a factor of 2. The photometric data sho w a persistent ingress EUV enhancement which lasts similar to 0.04 in phase. We attribute this to a region of similar to 10(3) km in extent at the accretion impact site, on or very near the surface of the white dwarf primary. Our observations of RE 1149 are consistent with a rela tively low system inclination and provide a best-fit orbital period of 90.14+/-0.015 minutes.