2007A&A...464..647V -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 464647-658 (2007/3-3)
An in-depth study of the pre-polar candidate WX Leonis Minoris.
VOGEL J., SCHWOPE A.D. and GAENSICKE B.T.
Abstract (from CDS):
Optical photometry, spectroscopy, and XMM-Newton ultraviolet and X-ray observations with full phase coverage are used for an in-depth study of WX LMi, a system formerly termed a low-accretion rate polar. We find a constant low-mass accretion rate, {dot}(M)∼1.5x10–13M☉/yr, a peculiar accretion geometry with one spot not accessible via Roche-lobe overflow, a low temperature of the white dwarf, Teff<8000K, and the secondary very likely Roche-lobe underfilling. All this lends further support to the changed view on WXLMi and related systems as detached binaries, i.e. magnetic post-common envelope binaries without significant Roche-lobe overflow in the past. The transfer rate determined here is compatible with accretion from a stellar wind. We use cyclotron spectroscopy to determine the accretion geometry and to constrain the plasma temperatures. Both cyclotron spectroscopy and X-ray plasma diagnostics reveal low plasma temperatures below 3keV on both accretion spots. For the low-{dot}(m), high-B plasma at the accretion spots in WXLMi, cyclotron cooling dominates thermal plasma radiation in the optical. Optical spectroscopy and X-ray timing reveal atmospheric, chromospheric, and coronal activity at the saturation level on the dM4.5 secondary star.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
stars: individual: WX LMi - stars: magnetic field - X-rays: stars
Simbad objects:
18
Full paper
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