Abstract
HD153919, an extreme Of star (spectral type O6.5Iaf+; ref. 1) has been identified as the optical counterpart of the 3.411-day eclipsing massive X-ray binary 4U1700 – 37 (ref. 2) by spectroscopic3–5 and photometric6 studies which revealed periodic optical variations in phase with the X-ray period. Here we report that the ultraviolet spectra taken with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite also vary in phase with the X-ray emission. In an interval of ∼200 Å centred on the subordinate He II line at 1,640 Å, emission lines 2–3 Å wide appear and disappear, with maximum flux at binary phase 0.5 (when the neutron star is in front of the O supergiant) and minimum at phase 0.8. We suggest that these variable lines are due to Raman scattering of extreme ultraviolet photons from the X-ray source by He II ions. These Raman lines can thus be used to reconstruct a part of the unobserved extreme ultraviolet spectrum in the He II scattering zone.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Walborn, N. R. Astr. J. 78, 1067–1073 (1973).
Jones, C. et al. Astrophys. J. 181, L43–L48 (1973).
Conti, P. S. & Cowley, A. P. Astrophys. J. 200, 133–144 (1975).
Hammerschlag-Hensberge, G. Astr. Astrophys. 64, 399–405 (1978).
Fahlman, G. G. & Walker, G. A. H. Astrophys. J. 240, 169–179 (1980).
Van Paradijs, J., Hammerschlag-Hensberge, G. & Zuiderwijk, E. J. Astr. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 31, 189–198 (1978).
Dupree, A. K. et al. Nature 275, 400–403 (1978).
Hammerschlag-Hensberge, G., Howarth, I. D. & Kallman, T. R. Astrophys. J. 352, 698–708 (1990).
Howarth, I. D. & Prinja, R. K. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 69, 527–592 (1989).
Branduardi, G., Mason, K. O. & Sanford, P. W. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 185, 137–142 (1978).
Haberl, F., White, N. E. & Kallman, T. R. Astrophys. J. 343, 409–425 (1989).
Gottwald, M., White, N. E. & Stella, L. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 222, 21p–25p (1986).
White, N. E., Kallman, T. R. & Swank, J. H. Astrophys. J. 269, 264–272 (1983).
Mason, K. O., Branduardi, G. & Sanford, P. W. Astrophys. J. 203, L29–L33 (1976).
Giddings, J. R. ESA IUE Newsletter 17, 53–59 (1983).
Avni, Y. Astrophys. J. 210, 642–646 (1976).
Nussbaumer, H., Schmid, H. M. & Vogel, M. Astr. Astrophys. 211, L27–L30 (1989).
Behring, W. E., Cohen, L., Feldman, U. & Doschek, G. A. Astrophys. J. 203, 521–527 (1976).
Dere, K. P. Astrophys. J. 221, 1062–1067 (1978).
MacFarlane, J. J. & Cassinelli, J. P. Astrophys. J. 347, 1090–1099 (1989).
Mewe, R., Gronenschild, E. H. B. M. & Van den Oord, G. H. J. Astr. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 62, 197–254 (1985).
Raymond, J. C. & Smith, B. W. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 35, 419–439 (1977).
Kelly, R. L. J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data. 16, Suppl. 1 (1987).
Blondin, J. M., Kallman, T. R., Fryxell, B. A. & Taam, R. E. Astrophys. J. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaper, L., Hammerschlag–Hensberge, G. & Takens, R. Raman scattering as a diagnostic tool in the massive X-ray binary 4U1700 – 37. Nature 347, 652–655 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/347652a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/347652a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.