Irradiation of the secondary star in X-ray Nova Scorpii 1994 (=GRO J1655--40)

Abstract

We have obtained intermediate resolution optical spectra of the black-hole candidate Nova Sco 1994 in June 1996, when the source was in an X-ray/optical active state (R~15.05). We measure the radial velocity curve of the secondary star and obtain a semi-amplitude of 279+/-10 km/s; a value which is 30 per cent larger than the value obtained when the source is in quiescence. Our large value for K_2 is consistent with 60 +9,-7 per cent of the secondary star's surface being heated; compared to 35 per cent, which is what one would expect if only the inner face of the secondary star were irradiated. Effects such as irradiation-induced flows on the secondary star may be important in explaining the observed large value for K_2.

arXiv comment5 pages, 2 figures, accepted by MNRAS

References in corpus (8)

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• Advection-Dominated Flows and the X-ray Delay in the Outburst of GRO J1655-40
• Broad band high energy observations of the superluminal jet source GRO J1655-40 during an outburst
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• Magnetic Flux Expulsion in the Powerful Superbubble Explosions and the Alpha-Omega Dynamo
• On the Viewing Angle Dependence of Blazar Variability

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