The optical counterpart of the double degenerate polar RX J1914+24

Abstract

Cropper et al 1998 presented X-ray observations of RX J1914+24 and claimed that the most likely interpretation of their data was that of a double degenerate Polar. Here we show the preliminary results of optical and further X-ray observations. We identify the optical counterpart and show that no other period apart from the 569 sec period seen in X-rays is identified. Although the optical counterpart has no significant polarised flux in the I band, our ASCA spectrum (which is typical of a Polar) together with our photometric result adds weight to the conclusion that RX J1914+24 is the first double degenerate Polar to be discovered.