NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0184
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0184 |
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PI: Saeqa Dil Vrtilek, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, svrtilek@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: High Energy Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Mail Stop 83, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Charith Peris, Northeastern U Pre-doctoral fellow at SAO
CoI: Jan Cechura, Charles U Pre-doctoral fellow at SAO
Title: Imaging Black Hole and Neutron Star Binaries
Abstract:
Tomography offers one of the few approaches to spatial examination
of X-ray binaries which enables us to study the geometry of the
accretion flow in detail and to examine spectral signatures that
differentiate between neutron stars and black holes. We propose to
observe two systems (the black hole candidate V1408 Aql and the neutron
star system, V801 Ara) which are especially suitable for the study of
disk evolution and instabilities. The optical variations of V1408 Aql
have been variously attributed to a heated secondary or a thin disk,
whereas its X-ray spectrum is attributed to a pure disk. Our
tomographic images will allow us to identify unambiguously the presence
or absence of a disk. V801 Ara shows superbursts in addition to bursts
making it a prime candidate to show disk eccentricity, which provides
important clues about the nature of the disk evolution. The data
obtained will also allow us to improve the radial velocities, measure K2
from the irradiated emission lines, and refine the mass ratios by
fitting the rotational broadening of the secondary for each system.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0184 |
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