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TX Cancri - Which component is hotterThe question is considered of whether the W-type light curves of TX Cnc result from a slightly higher temperature for the low-mass component or from a relatively strong classical gravity-darkening law. Photometric parameters for this W UMa binary area derived using light curves from four epochs exhibiting dissimilar behavior. The analysis is performed for up to five colors, and solutions are obtained by two different approaches in which the temperature difference between the components is treated as a free parameter or is determined by the surface gravitational field. The results of the second approach show that the polar effective temperature of the low-mass star is about 30 K cooler than that of the high-mass star, while the results of the first approach show the low-mass star to be 125 to 175 K hotter. Preference is given to the second approach because gravity darkening provides a simple and adequate explanation of the light curves. Epoch-to-epoch changes in the gravity-darkening and albedo parameters are taken as suggesting differences in the degree of thermal contact over a time scale of a few years.
Document ID
19760052967
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wilson, R. E.
(NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, N.Y.; South Florida, University Tampa; Florida, University, Gainesville, Fla., United States)
Biermann, P.
(Bonn, Universitaet Bonn, Germany)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume: 48
Issue: 3, Ma
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
76A35933
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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