Keck Infrared Spectroscopy of WZ Sagittae: Detection of Molecular Emission from the Accretion Disk | Zendy

Steve B. Howell | Zendy; T. E. Harrison | Zendy; Paula Szkody | Zendy

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Keck Infrared Spectroscopy of WZ Sagittae: Detection of Molecular Emission from the Accretion Disk

Author(s) -

Steve B. Howell,

T. E. Harrison,

Paula Szkody

Publication year - 2004

Publication title -

the astrophysical journal

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376

H-Index - 489

eISSN - 1538-4357

pISSN - 0004-637X

DOI - 10.1086/382481

Subject(s) - astrophysics , physics , eclipse , luminosity , accretion (finance) , astronomy , accretion disc , infrared , emission spectrum , stars , spectroscopy , intermediate polar , spectral line , galaxy , white dwarf

Time-resolved IR spectroscopy of WZ Sge was obtained using NIRSPEC on KeckII. We detect CO and H$_{\rm 2}$ emission from the accretion disk placing WZSge into a rarefied class of astronomical objects including YSOs and highluminosity early-type stars. During the eclipse phase, the molecular emissiongreatly weakens but no firm evidence for the secondary star is seen allowingnew limits on its luminosity to be determined. The detection of molecularemission provides physical properties within the outer disk of T=3000K andN$_H$$>10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$. Such a cool, dense region, not associated with areasof H I and He I emission, provides the first observational confirmation ofpredictions made by accretion disk models.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

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