EUVE Science Highlights -
October 4, 1999
EUVE Science Highlights -
October 4, 1999
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Slide 4 of 8
This science highlight was submitted by Dr. Steve Howell of the Planetary Science Institute.
The first figure shows the EUVE short- (SW) and and medium-wavelength (MW) spectra of AR UMa as a function of a full orbital phase cycle (phase decreases top to bottom). Notice the change in the SW data with phase indicating a temperature and size change of the accretion region on the white dwarf (WD) surface. The accretion region on this WD is about the size of the state of Arizona (~500 miles) sitting on a star about the size of the earth. The EUVE spectroscopy allows us to sample that region in size steps equal to "~1/10th of an Arizona" (~50 mile resolution) per spectrum. The MW spectrum reveals the presence of intrinsic He 304 emission.