The nature of 1WGA J1958.2+3232: A new intermediate polar

Abstract

We present low and intermediate resolution spectroscopy of the optical counterpart to the recently discovered pulsating X-ray source 1WGA J1958.2+3232. The presence of strong HI, HeI and HeII emission lines together with the absence of absorption features rules out the possibility that the object is a massive star, as had recently been suggested. The observed X-ray and optical characteristics are consistent with the object being an intermediate polar. The double-peaked structure of the emission lines indicates that an accretion disc is present.