Physical Properties of Supersoft X-Ray Binaries

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Cowley, AnneAST-9731491Dr. Cowley will carry out an observational study of supersoft X-ray binary systems to measure more accurately their stellar masses and other fundamental physical parameters. Both spectroscopic and photometric observations will be made which will provide information on stellar properties such as temperature, luminosity, and mass, as well as the mass ratio, orbital inclination, and mass transfer rate and structure of the accretion disk. Observations will be compared to existing models to elucidate the nature of the compact objects in these systems and distinguish between competing models of white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole accretors.