A 421-d activity cycle in the BeX recurrent transient A0538-66 from MACHO monitoring

C. Alcock, R. A. Allsman, D. R. Alves, T. S. Axelrod, A. C. Becker, D. P. Bennett, P. A. Charles, K. H. Cook, A. J. Drake, K. C. Freeman, M. Geha, K. Griest, M. J. Lehner, S. L. Marshall, K. E. McGowan, D. Minniti, C. A. Nelson, B. A. Peterson, P. Popowski, M. R. PrattP. J. Quinn, C. W. Stubbs, W. Sutherland, A. B. Tomaney, T. Vandehei, D. L. Welch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present a ∼5-yr optical light curve of the recurrent Be/X-ray transient A0538-66 obtained as a by-product of the MACHO Project. These data reveal both a long-term modulation at P = 420.8 ± 0.8 d and a short-term modulation at 16.6510 ± 0.0022 d which, within errors, confirms the previously found orbital period. Furthermore, the orbital activity is only seen at certain phases of the 421-d cycle, suggesting that the long-term modulation is related to variations in the Be star envelope.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)678-684
Number of pages7
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume321
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Mar 2001

Keywords

  • Binaries: Close
  • Stars: Individual: A0538-66
  • X-rays: Stars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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