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Identifying the Parts of an X-ray Light Curve
Below is a sample of an X-ray light curve from an eclipsing X-ray binary
such as HT Cas. See if you can correctly match the four labeled points in
the light curve to the images below, showing what part of the orbit (as
seen from Earth) that part of the light curve represents. The arrows show
what direction the smaller (primary X-ray emitter) star is traveling. Use
the mouse to click first on a red dot on the light curve and second on
the corresponding binary configuration (as seen from Earth).
- Dotted lines or a darkened secondary
star are behind the primary star
- Solid lines or a white secondary
star are in front of the primary star.
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