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Synchronous rotation in magnetic X-ray binariesAM Herculis is thought to be a binary stellar system that contains an accreting magnetic degenerate dwarf whose rotation is synchronous with the orbital period. This synchronism is remarkable, particularly because of the small moment of inertia of a degenerate dwarf and the large specific angular momentum of the accreted matter. This paper demonstrates that ohmic dissipation from the magnetic interaction of the stars is capable of bringing about exact synchronism, provided that some other process has brought the rotation period of the degenerate dwarf to the same order of magnitude as the orbital period. It is also shown that magnetostatic interaction in the synchronous state leads to oscillatory drifts in phase about exact synchronism with periods of approximately 1-10 yr. These phase drifts could manifest themselves in long-term periodic variability in the X-ray or optical properties of the source. Accretion torques could excite such oscillatory motions but need not disrupt synchronism once it has been established.
Document ID
19790051609
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Joss, P. C.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Rappaport, S. A.
(MIT Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Katz, J. I.
(California, University Los Angeles, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
May 15, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
79A35622
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-11450
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7341
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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