Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Abteilung Astronomie

Preprint 02/96

First UV spectrum of the AM Her star RX J1940.1-1025

S. Friedrich(1,2), R. Staubert(1), C. la Dous(3,4)

(1)Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Astronomie, Universität Tübingen, Waldhäuser Str. 64, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany

accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics

Abstract. We present the first UV spectrum of the polar RX J1940.1-1025, taken with the IUE satellite in the wavelength range between 1190 Angstroem to 1950 Angstroem. The phase averaged spectrum shows strong emission lines of CIV (1550 Angstroem), NV (1240 Angstroem), SiIV (1397 Angstroem) and HeII (1640 Angstroem) which are typical for AM Her stars. The line ratios of NV/SiIV and NV/CIV, and the continuum flux are also consistent with those found in other polars. The slope of the UV continuum can be attributed to the white dwarf which would have a temperature in the range between 15000 K and 21000 K. Equivalent widths of the emission lines suggest an inclination angle below 60 degrees in agreement with results from optical and X-ray observations.

Key words: cataclysmic variables - stars: individual: RX J1940.1-1025 - ultraviolet: stars

Paper (96k gzip'ed Postscript including figures)

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Jürgen Barnstedt (barnstedt AT astro.uni-tuebingen.de) Last updated 04-Aug-1997