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X-ray Spectroscopy of the Contact Binary VW Cephei
Journal article   Open access

X-ray Spectroscopy of the Contact Binary VW Cephei

David P Huenemoerder, Paola Testa and Derek L Buzasi
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.650(2 I), pp.1119-1132
06-28-2006

Abstract

Physics - Astrophysics of Galaxies Physics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics Physics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics Physics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics Physics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Astrophys.J.650:1119-1132,2006 Short-period binaries represent extreme cases in the generation of stellar coronae via a rotational dynamo. Such stars are important for probing the origin and nature of coronae in the regimes of rapid rotation and activity saturation. VW Cep (P=0.28 d) is a relatively bright, partially eclipsing, and very active object. Light curves made from Chandra/HETGS data show flaring and rotational modulation, but no eclipses. Velocity modulation of emission lines indicates that one component dominates the X-ray emission. The emission measure is highly structured, having three peaks. Helium-like triplet lines give electron densities of about 3.0E+10 - 18.0E+10 /cm^3. We conclude that the corona is predominantly on the polar regions of the primary star and compact.
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https://doi.org/10.1086/507404View
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