Title: The X-ray eclipse geometry of CAL 87 Author: T. Ribeiro, R. Lopes de Oliveira, Borges, B. W
We explore XMM-Newton observations of the eclipsing super-soft X-ray source CAL~87 in order to map the accretion structures of the system. { Indirect imaging techniques were applied in X-ray light curves to provide eclipse maps}. The surface brightness distribution exhibits an extended and symmetric emission, { and from the hardest X-rays is revealed a feature that is likely due to a bright spot}. A rate of dot{P}=(+6±2) x 10-10 for changes in the orbital period of the system was derived from the eclipses. There is no significant variation of the emission lines even during eclipses, arguing that the lines are formed in an extended region. The continuum emission dominates the decrease in flux which is observed during eclipses. The OVIII Ly alpha line reveals a broadening velocity { which is} estimated in 365+65-69 km\,s-1 (at 1sigma) and marginal evidence for asymmetry in its profile, and sometimes shows evidence of double-peaked emission. Together, the results support that the wind-driven mass transfer scenario is running in CAL~87.
CAL 87 is one of the best studied SSSs located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). It is a binary system with an orbital period of 10.6 hr (Cowley et al. 1990). Cowley et al. (1990) reported the radial velocity variations of the He II lines and discussed the possibility that the system contains a black hole. Read more