Search Publications

The Ultraviolet Light Curve of LMC X-4: X-Ray Heating of the O Star and Accretion Disk

Boroson, Bram; Vrtilek, Saeqa Dil; Preciado, Michael E.

We present an archival study of ultraviolet spectra of the X-ray binary LMC X-4 obtained with the IUE satellite. We fit these spectra with models that incorporate the X-ray heating of the O star and accretion disk. A systematic analysis of the UV continuum confirms the general picture of an O star that fills its Roche lobe and is heated by X-rays …