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RX J0806+15: the shortest period binary?

Ramsay, G; Hakala, P; Cropper, M; (2002) RX J0806+15: the shortest period binary? MON NOT R ASTRON SOC , 332 (1) L7 - L10. Green open access

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Abstract

The X-ray source RX J0806+15 was discovered using ROSAT , and shows an X-ray light curve with a prominent modulation on a period of 321.5 s. We present optical observations in which we report the detection of its optical counterpart. We find an optical period consistent with the X-ray period. We do not find convincing evidence for a second period in the data: this implies the 321.5-s period is the orbital period. As such it would be the shortest period stellar binary system yet known. We discuss the nature of this system. We conclude that an isolated neutron star and an intermediate polar interpretation is unlikely and that a double degenerate interpretation is the most likely.

Type: Article
Title: RX J0806+15: the shortest period binary?
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Keywords: binaries : general, stars : individual : RX J086+15, stars : neutron, X-rays : binaries, J0806.3+1527, STAR
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/9415
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