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Detection of a Hot Binary Companion of eta CarinaeA hot companion of eta Carinae has been detected using high resolution spectra (905 - 1 180 Angsroms) obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. Observations were obtained at two epochs of the 2024-day orbit: 2003 June during ingress to the 2003.5 X-ray eclipse and 2004 April several months after egress. These data show that essentially all the far-UV flux from eta Car shortward of Lyman alpha disappeared at least two days before the start of the X-ray eclipse (2003 June 29), implying that the hot companion, eta Car By was also eclipsed by the dense wind or extended atmosphere of eta Car A. Analysis of the far-UV spectrum shows that eta Car B is a luminous hot star. N II 1084-1086 emission disappears at the same time as the far-UV continuum, indicating that this feature originates from eta Car B itself or in close proximity to it. The strong N II emission also raises the possibility that the companion star is nitrogen rich. The observed FUV flux levels and spectral features, combined with the timing of their disappearance, are consistent with eta Carinae being a massive binary system.
Document ID
20070015099
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sonneborn, G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Iping, R. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gull, T. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Massa, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hillier, D. J.
(Pittsburgh Univ. PA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: IAU Symposium No. 240, "Binary Stars as Critical Tools and Tests in Contemporary Astrophysics"
Location: Prague
Country: Czech Republic
Start Date: August 14, 2006
End Date: August 25, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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