Speaker
Mr
Andry Fitiavana Rajoelimanana
(South African Astronomical Observatory / University of Cape Town (SAAO/UCT))
Description
We present 16 yr baseline optical lightcurves of Be/X-ray binaries (BeX) in the SMC. All the BeX in our sample display both orbital (usually tens of days) modulation, plus a much longer non-orbital variation on timescales of ~ 200-3000 d. We compare and contrast their behaviour with the prototypical BeX, A0538-66. In addition, the amplitude of their orbital outbursts can vary through the long-term superorbital cycle. We discuss mechanisms which can produce this effect, as well as an apparent correlation between these periodicities.
Primary author
Mr
Andry Fitiavana Rajoelimanana
(South African Astronomical Observatory / University of Cape Town (SAAO/UCT))
Co-author
Prof.
Phil Charles
(South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) / School of Physics and Astronomy, (Southampton University))
