| Neutron Stars in
Binary Systems |
Identifying the Parts of an X-ray Light Curve
Below is a sample of an X-ray light curve
from an eclipsing
X-ray binary
such as HT Cas. See if you can correctly match the four labeled points
in
the light curve to the images below, showing what part of the orbit (as
seen from Earth) that part of the light curve represents. The arrows
show
what direction the smaller (primary X-ray emitter) star is traveling.
- Dotted lines or a darkened secondary star are behind the primary star
- Solid lines or a white secondary star are in front of the primary star
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