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Cordova, France

Publications and source records attributed to Cordova, France.

First XMM-Newton Observations of a Cataclysmic Variable II: Spectral Studies of OY Car

We present XMM-Newton X-ray spectra of the disc accreting cataclysmic variable OY Car, which were obtained during the performance verification phase of the mission. These data were taken 4 days after a short outburst. In the EPIC spectra we find strong Iron K(beta) emission with weaker Iron K(alpha) emission together with Silicon and Sulphur lines. The spectra are best fitted with a three temperature plasma model with a partial covering absorber. Multiple temperature emission is confirmed by the emission lines seen in the RGS spectrum and the H/He like intensity ratio for Iron and Sulphur which imply temperatures of approx. 7keV and approx. 3keV respectively.

Ramsay, Gavin↗

Hubble Space Telescope observations of cool white dwarf stars: Detection of new species of heavy elements

Observations of cool white dwarf stars with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has uncovered a number of spectral features from previouslly unobserved species. In this paper we present the data on four cool white dwarfs. We present identifications, equivalent width measurements, and brief summaries of the significance of our findings. The four stars observed are GD 40 (DBZ3, G 74-7 (DAZ), L 745-46A (DZ), and LDS 749B (DBA). Many additional species of heavey elements were detected in GD 40 and G 74-7. In L 745-46A, while the detections are limited to Fe 1, Fe II, and Mg II, the quality of the Mg II h and K line profiles should permit a test of the line broadening theories, which are so crucial to abundance determinations. The clear detection of Mg II h and k in LDS 749 B should, once an abundance determination is made, provide a clear test of the hypothesis that the DBA stars are the result of accretion from the interstellar medium. This star contains no other clear features other than a tantalizing hint of C II 1335 with a P Cygni profile, and some expected He 1 lines.

Shipman, Harry↗

Multi Wave Link: An interactive database for co-ordination of multiwavelength programs

Multi Wave Link is an operational database used by the international astronomical community to plan and coordinate multiwavelength observational campaigns on various celestial objects. This facility has been and continues to be an essential tool for the organization of numerous simultaneous ground-based and satellite observations. The Multi Wave Link system has both an interactive component and an electronic mail alert notice component. The interactive portion contains a database of schedules from several of the world's larger observatories and orbiting satellites. Lists of observers, observatories, and their available instrumentation are additionally contained in the system. Another feature added to the software allows the user to search the Royal Greenwich Observatory e-mail listing of international astronomers. This capability is often used by astronomers to find the electronic address of colleagues for improved communication. However, the most productive aspect of the Multi Wave Link system appears to be one of the simplest parts of the system: the electronic mail alert notices for observing campaigns. Information useful in planning the structure of future astronomical databases can be obtained by studying patterns of use of the Multi Wave Link system. This paper analyzes 22 months of Multi Wave Link usage from Sep. 1991 - Jul. 1993.

Cordova, France↗