HEAD 2000, November 2000
Session 41. Cataclysmic Variables
Display, Friday, November 10, 2000, 8:00am-6:00pm, Bora Bora Ballroom

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[41.07] Chandra Observation of U Gem

P. Szkody, K. Nishikida (U. of Washington), K. Long (STScI), J. Raymond (CfA), E. Sion (Villanova), D. Hoard (CTIO)

We present preliminary results of a Chandra HETG/ACIS observation of the prototypical dwarf nova U Gem in quiescence. HETG's excellent spectral resolution has the capability to resolve line complexes, which was not possible with previous X-ray observatories, that are crutial to plasma diagonostics. We discuss the analyses of the iron complex at 6.4--6.9 keV and the emission lines from He-like elements in the 0.4--2.4 keV range. We will try to use the line ratios and line equivalent widths measured in the spectrum to determine the ionization states in the accretion zone and the temperature and density distribution in the boundary layer. The velocity resolution of HETG should also allow us to determine the rotation rate and the physical location of the boundary layer.

This research was partially funded by NASA grant GO0-1093X.



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