The Discovery of Near-Infrared Polarized Cyclotron Emission in the Intermediate Polar BG Canis Minoris

November 1987 • 1987ApJ...322L..35W

Authors • West, Steven C. • Berriman, Graham • Schmidt, Gary D.

Abstract • BG CMi is the only intermediate polar known to be magnetic. New observations reported here reveal that its wavelength dependence of circular polarization increases rapidly into the infrared, from V_I= -0.25%±0.06% in the optical red to V_J= -1.74%±0.26% (1.25 μm). This dramatic rise, which may even continue to a level of -4% at H (1.5 μm), is the first conclusive identification of cyclotron emission in an intermediate polar, and confirms that the long-held basic model of a magnetic accreting white dwarf is correct. The field in the cyclotron emission region of BG CMi is likely in the range ≡5 - 10 MG.

Links

• SIMBAD http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbo.pl?bibcode=1987ApJ...322L..35W
• NED https://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/uri/NED::InRefcode/1987ApJ...322L..35W
• GIF http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1987ApJ...322L..35W
• ARTICLE http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1987ApJ...322L..35W?defaultprint=YES