[70.02] The Origin of the Molecular Emission in WZ Sagittae

AAS 207th Meeting, 8-12 January 2006
Session 70 Cataclysmic Variables and Novae
Poster, Tuesday, 9:20am-6:30pm, January 10, 2006, Exhibit Hall

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[70.02] The Origin of the Molecular Emission in WZ Sagittae

J.W. Wellhouse, T.E. Harrison (New Mexico State University), S.B. Howell (NOAO/WIYN), P. Szkody (Univ. of Wash.)

We have amassed seven hours of observations of WZ Sge using NIRSPEC on Keck II. WZ Sge is the prototype TOAD, Cataclysmic Variable with infrequent large amplitude outbursts. Previous Keck NIRSPEC K band data reveled emission from both molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Such emission had never been observed in any other cataclysmic variable in quiescence. Our previous limited data set suggested that the molecular emission disappeared during inferior conjunction. Our new data confirms this and indicates an origin on the heated face of the secondary. If true this may allow future investigations of exoplanets containing "hot Jupiters" as the irradiation experienced by the secondary star in WZ Sge is similar that experienced by these "hot Jupiters". We will present time resolved K band spectra of WZ Sge.

These data were obtained with NOAO time on Keck.

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