ASCA observations of OAO 1657−415 and its dust-scattered X-ray halo

We report on two ASCA observations of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar OAO 1657−415. A short observation near mid-eclipse caught the source in a low-intensity state, with a weak continuum and iron emission dominated by the 6.4-keV fluorescent line. A later, longer observation found the source in a high-intensity state and covered the uneclipsed through mid-eclipse phases. In the high-intensity state, the non-eclipse spectrum has an absorbed continuum component due to scattering by material near the pulsar and 80 per cent of the fluorescent iron emission comes from less than 19 light-second away from the pulsar. We find a dust-scattered X-ray halo whose intensity decays through the eclipse. We use this halo to estimate the distance to the source as 7.1 ± 1.3 kpc.     

p-mode Oscillations of α Cen A

Models of Cen A & B have been computed using the masses determinedby Pourbaix et al. (2002) and the data derived from the spectroscopicanalysis of Neuforge and Magain (1997). The seismological dataobtained by Bouchy and Carrier (2001, 2002) do help improveour knowledge of the evolutionary status of the system. All the constraintsare satisfied with a model which gives an age of about 6 Gyr for the binary.     

New limits on the orbital parameters of 1E 1048.1–5937 and 1E 2259+586 from RXTE observations

We report on two Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ) observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsars 1E 1048.1–5937 and 1E 2259+586. Both sources have continued their almost constant spin-down during 1995/96. We carried out a search for orbital Doppler shifts, in their observed spin frequencies, deriving stringent limits on the projected semi-axis. Unless these systems have unlikely small inclinations, main-sequence companions can be excluded. If 1E 1048.1–5937 and 1E 2259+586 are indeed binary systems, their companion stars must be either white dwarfs, or helium-burning stars with M ≲ 0.8 M⊙, possibly underfilling their Roche lobe.     

Towards a new standard model for black hole accretion

We briefly review recent developments in black hole accretion disk theory, emphasizing the vital role played by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stresses in transporting angular momentum. The apparent universality of accretion-related outflow phenomena is a strong indicator that large-scale MHD torques facilitate vertical transport of angular momentum. This leads to an enhanced overall rate of angular momentum transport and allows accretion of matter to proceed at an interesting rate. Furthermore, we argue that when vertical transport is important, the radial structure of the accretion disk is modified at small radii and this affects the disk emission spectrum. We present a simple model demonstrating how energetic, magnetically-driven outflows modify the emergent disk emission spectrum with respect to that predicted by standard accretion disk theory. A comparison of the predicted spectra against observations of quasar spectral energy distributions suggests that mass accretion rates inferred using the standard disk model may be severely underestimated.     

K-band spectroscopy of the intermediate polar XY Ari

We present the K -band infrared spectrum of the intermediate polar XY Ari. The spectrum confirms the cataclysmic binary nature of XY Ari, showing emission lines of He  i ( λ 2.0587 μm) and the Brackett and Paschen series of H  i . The broad nature of these lines suggests an origin in an accretion disc. The spectrum is strongly reddened by absorption within the molecular cloud Lynds 1457 and shows prominent absorption features from the secondary star, from which we determine a spectral type for the secondary of M0V. The secondary contributes     per cent of the K -band light. We derive a visual extinction to XY Ari of     and a distance of     , placing XY Ari behind the molecular cloud.     

HD 9770, a southern active-chromosphere system

The visual triple system HD 9770 (BB Scl) has been the subject of a four-year programme of UVB ( RI )_C photometry and H α échelle spectroscopy. Analysis of the data obtained over that period shows that star B, and probably also star A, of HD 9770 is a binary. The A system comprises a K1V star, which may be in a binary system with another K dwarf. The B system is an eclipsing binary of the BY Dra type in which both stars are chromospherically active. An orbital period of 0.476 525±0.000 013 d has been derived from the light curve in V . Physical parameters derived from analysis of the light curves in UBV ( RI )_C are presented.     

New 1982 — 1990 photometry of λ Andromedae and its 11-year cycle

We present photoelectric photometry of λ And never before published, obtained between February 1982 and December 1990 at 29 different observatories. Then we combine it with all other photometry available to us (previously published, contained in the I.A.U. Commission 27 Archives, and obtained with the Vanderbilt 16-inch automatic telescope but not yet published), to yield a 14.8-year data base. Analysis reveals a long-term cycle in mean brightness, with a full range of 0^m.15 and a period of 11.4 ± 0.4 years. Because most of our new photometry was concentrated in the 1983-84 observing season, we analyze that one well-defined light curve with a two-spot model. Spot A keeps a 0^m.04 amplitude throughout four rotation cycles whereas the amplitude of spot B diminishes from 0^m.09 down almost to 0^m.03. The spot rotation periods were 55^d.9 ± 0^d.6 and 520^d.8 ± 1^d.0, respectively.     

Spectroscopic binaries near the north Galactic Pole

Orbits based principally on radial-velocity measurements made with the Haute-Provence Coravel spectrometer are presented for eight binary systems which include some of the faintest HD stars in the Galactic-Pole field. They are HD 103418 (which is double-lined), 105021, 108151, 113169, 113323, 113650, 113714, and 116514. Their periods range from 3.7 to 15.1 days. Very little else is known about any of them.