Ultraviolet continuum variability and visual flickering in the peculiar object MWC 560

A. G. Michalitsianos; M. Perez; S. N. Shore; S. P. Maran; M. Karovska; G. Sonneborn; J. R. Webb; Thomas G. Barnes; Marian L. Frueh; R. J. Oliversen; Sumner Starrfield

doi:10.1086/186858

Ultraviolet continuum variability and visual flickering in the peculiar object MWC 560

A. G. Michalitsianos, M. Perez, S. N. Shore, S. P. Maran, M. Karovska, G. Sonneborn, J. R. Webb, Thomas G. Barnes, Marian L. Frueh, R. J. Oliversen, Sumner Starrfield

Physics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-speed U-band photometry of the peculiar emission object MWC 560 obtained with the ground-based instrumentation, and V-band photometry obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE)-Fine Error Sensor (FES) indicates irregular brightness variations are quasi-periodic. Multiple peaks of relative brightness power indicate statistically significant quasi periods exist in a range of 3-35 minutes, that are superposed on slower hourly varying components. We present a preliminary model that explains the minute and hourly time-scale variations in MWC 560 in terms of a velocity-shear instability that arises because a white dwarf magnetosphere impinges on an accretion disk. We also find evidence for Fe II multiplet pseudo-continuum absorption opacity in far-UV spectra of CH Cygni which is also present in MWC 560. Both CH Cyg and MWC 560 may be in an evolutionary stage that is characterized by strong UV continuum opacity which changes significantly during outburst, occurring before they permanently enter the symbiotic nebular emission phase.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L53-L56
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	409
Issue number	2 PART 2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/186858
State	Published - Jun 1 1993

Keywords

Stars: emission-line, Be
Stars: individual (MWC 560)
Techniques: photometric
Ultraviolet: stars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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@article{ac54bb3481c541c281d3029dc6dfc491,

title = "Ultraviolet continuum variability and visual flickering in the peculiar object MWC 560",

abstract = "High-speed U-band photometry of the peculiar emission object MWC 560 obtained with the ground-based instrumentation, and V-band photometry obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE)-Fine Error Sensor (FES) indicates irregular brightness variations are quasi-periodic. Multiple peaks of relative brightness power indicate statistically significant quasi periods exist in a range of 3-35 minutes, that are superposed on slower hourly varying components. We present a preliminary model that explains the minute and hourly time-scale variations in MWC 560 in terms of a velocity-shear instability that arises because a white dwarf magnetosphere impinges on an accretion disk. We also find evidence for Fe II multiplet pseudo-continuum absorption opacity in far-UV spectra of CH Cygni which is also present in MWC 560. Both CH Cyg and MWC 560 may be in an evolutionary stage that is characterized by strong UV continuum opacity which changes significantly during outburst, occurring before they permanently enter the symbiotic nebular emission phase.",

keywords = "Stars: emission-line, Be, Stars: individual (MWC 560), Techniques: photometric, Ultraviolet: stars",

author = "Michalitsianos, {A. G.} and M. Perez and Shore, {S. N.} and Maran, {S. P.} and M. Karovska and G. Sonneborn and Webb, {J. R.} and Barnes, {Thomas G.} and Frueh, {Marian L.} and Oliversen, {R. J.} and Sumner Starrfield",

year = "1993",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1086/186858",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "409",

pages = "L53--L56",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

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publisher = "IOP Publishing Ltd.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Ultraviolet continuum variability and visual flickering in the peculiar object MWC 560

AU - Michalitsianos, A. G.

AU - Perez, M.

AU - Shore, S. N.

AU - Maran, S. P.

AU - Karovska, M.

AU - Sonneborn, G.

AU - Webb, J. R.

AU - Barnes, Thomas G.

AU - Frueh, Marian L.

AU - Oliversen, R. J.

AU - Starrfield, Sumner

PY - 1993/6/1

Y1 - 1993/6/1

N2 - High-speed U-band photometry of the peculiar emission object MWC 560 obtained with the ground-based instrumentation, and V-band photometry obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE)-Fine Error Sensor (FES) indicates irregular brightness variations are quasi-periodic. Multiple peaks of relative brightness power indicate statistically significant quasi periods exist in a range of 3-35 minutes, that are superposed on slower hourly varying components. We present a preliminary model that explains the minute and hourly time-scale variations in MWC 560 in terms of a velocity-shear instability that arises because a white dwarf magnetosphere impinges on an accretion disk. We also find evidence for Fe II multiplet pseudo-continuum absorption opacity in far-UV spectra of CH Cygni which is also present in MWC 560. Both CH Cyg and MWC 560 may be in an evolutionary stage that is characterized by strong UV continuum opacity which changes significantly during outburst, occurring before they permanently enter the symbiotic nebular emission phase.

AB - High-speed U-band photometry of the peculiar emission object MWC 560 obtained with the ground-based instrumentation, and V-band photometry obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE)-Fine Error Sensor (FES) indicates irregular brightness variations are quasi-periodic. Multiple peaks of relative brightness power indicate statistically significant quasi periods exist in a range of 3-35 minutes, that are superposed on slower hourly varying components. We present a preliminary model that explains the minute and hourly time-scale variations in MWC 560 in terms of a velocity-shear instability that arises because a white dwarf magnetosphere impinges on an accretion disk. We also find evidence for Fe II multiplet pseudo-continuum absorption opacity in far-UV spectra of CH Cygni which is also present in MWC 560. Both CH Cyg and MWC 560 may be in an evolutionary stage that is characterized by strong UV continuum opacity which changes significantly during outburst, occurring before they permanently enter the symbiotic nebular emission phase.

KW - Stars: emission-line, Be

KW - Stars: individual (MWC 560)

KW - Techniques: photometric

KW - Ultraviolet: stars

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JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2 PART 2

ER -

Ultraviolet continuum variability and visual flickering in the peculiar object MWC 560

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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