Optical counterpart of 2A0311-227

Abstract

Spectrophotometric observations of the optical counterpart of the X-ray source 2A0311-227 are reported. A 1.3-m telescope associated with a photon-counting spectral scanner was used for observations in the range 4000 to 5800 A. Strong emission features are noted for H I, He II at 4686 A and the C III-N III blend at 4640-4650 A. Analyses of radial velocities show the star to be a spectroscopic binary with a period of 81.04 + or - 0.01 min, while blue and yellow light curves reveal variations in stellar color. Similarities between this binary and AM Herculis are noted and a model of a 1.2-solar mass white dwarf with a 0.2-solar mass companion at a separation of 0.7 solar radii is suggested.