On the ultracompact nature of 4U 1822−000 |
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Authors: | T Shahbaz C A Watson H Hernandez-Peralta |
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Institution: | Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain;Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH |
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Abstract: | We report the discovery of a periodic modulation in the optical lightcurve of the candidate ultracompact X-ray binary 4U 1822−000. Using time-resolved optical photometry taken with the William Herschel Telescope we find evidence for a sinusoidal modulation with a semi-amplitude of 8 per cent and a period of 191 min, which is most likely close to the true orbital period of the binary. Using the van Paradijs & McClintock relation for the absolute magnitude and the distance modulus allowing for interstellar reddening, we estimate the distance to 4U 1822−000 to be 6.3 kpc. The long orbital period casts severe doubts on the ultracompact nature of 4U 1822−000. |
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Keywords: | accretion accretion discs binaries: close stars: individual: 4U 1822−000 |
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