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The IR energy distribution of SS433

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Abstract

SS433 is an extraordinary emission-line object showing periodically varying velocities of up to 50,000 km s−1 (refs 1,2). It is also a variable radio source3,4 and an X-ray source5. Infrared observations of SS433 in the 1–4 μm range have been reported elsewhere6–10. The data that we present here include observations at 1–10 μm and indicate first that there are substantial infrared colour variations from night to night and second that there is a sharp long-wavelength cutoff in the IR energy distribution, which was not seen in the earlier, more limited data. The discovery of this cutoff allows the diameter and electron density of the emitting region to be estimated.

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Wynn-Williams, C., Becklin, E. The IR energy distribution of SS433. Nature 282, 810–811 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/282810a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/282810a0

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