Open AccessPhotometric and polarimetric observations of the eclipsing polar SDSS J205017.84‐053626.8
Author(s) -
Potter Stephen B.,
O'Donoghue Darragh,
RomeroColmenero Encarni,
Buckley David A. H.,
Woudt Patrick A.,
Warner Brian
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10694.x
Subject(s) - physics , polarimetry , polarization (electrochemistry) , sky , white dwarf , polar , circular polarization , astrophysics , astronomy , intermediate polar , stars , optics , scattering , chemistry , microstrip
Photometric and polarimetric observations of the eclipsing polar (AM Herculis system) Sloan Digital Sky Survey 2050‐05 are reported, in which both sets of data are found to be modulated on a period of ∼94.2 min. This is the first detection of polarization in this system, unambiguously confirming its identification. Circular polarization variations are seen from ∼−10 to +4 per cent, consistent with a ‘two‐pole’ accretor. Both accreting poles are self‐occulted by the white dwarf during parts of the orbit. The photopolarimetry from different epochs shows the system to be in different states. During the epochs showing a higher state the polarimetry suggests accretion occurs preferentially near the pole displaying positive circular polarization, and vice versa during the epoch showing a lower state. From the eclipses we estimate some of the system's parameters.