Paramita Barai -- Research Work


Spectroscopic Analysis of an Algol Binary Star





I have worked with Doug Gies on studying the spectra of the Algol binary star RY Persei. We analysed the optical spectra of the binary system observed at the Coude Feed Telescope, KPNO. We separated the primary and secondary components of the spectra using a Doppler Tomography Reconstruction Algorithm. We constructed the disk surface density distribution from the set of H-alpha profiles obtained around eclipse of the primary. From the resulting surface density distribution, it is evident that the gas stream from the secondary donor star strikes the trailing edge of the primary star or the mass gainer - a configuration where the transfer of angular momentum peaks.

For details refer to our paper in ApJ.


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