Published March 20, 2020 | Version v1
Journal article

Spot Model for Identifications of Periods in Asynchronous Polars

  • 1. Yunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), P.O. Box 110, 650216 Kunming (China)
  • 2. Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Radio Data Processing, School of Physics and Electronic Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001 (China)

Description

We improved the discless accretion models in Wynn & King considering the effects of the changing aspect due to the white dwarf (WD) spin and the variable feeding intensity caused by the asynchronism, and set up a more general spot model that is not sensitive to the different forms of these effects and can be applied for the period analysis of the optical and X-ray light curve. The spot model can produce the power spectra compatible with the observations, and its simulations limit the ratio P spin/P orb < 2 between the powers at the WD spin and the binary orbital frequencies, which is a strong criterion for identification of periods. Then we recognize the periods for CD Ind, BY Cam, and 1RXS J083842.1-282723. The spot model reveals a complex accretion geometry in the asynchronous polars (APs), which may indicate that the complex magnetic field causes their asynchronism. We think 1RXS J083842.1-282723 is a prepolar because of its highest asynchronism and stable light curve. Giving the unstable accretion process in APs, the period analysis of the long-term light curve will make the orbital signal prominent.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab7759

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Astrophysical Journal
Journal Volume
892
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
[8 p.]
ISSN
0004-637X
CODEN
ASJOAB

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
53003138
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; MAGNETIC FIELDS; SPECTRA; WHITE DWARF STARS; X RADIATION
Descriptors DEC
DWARF STARS; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; IONIZING RADIATIONS; RADIATIONS; SIMULATION; STARS