First detections of the cataclysmic variable AE Aquarii in the near to far infrared with ISO and IRAS: Investigating the various possible thermal and non-thermal contributions

摘要: We have used ISO to observe the Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable AE Aquarii in previously unexplored range from 4.8 µ mu p 170µm framework of a coordinated multi-wavelength campaign radio optical wave- lengths. obtained for first time spectrum between and 7.3 µm with ISOCAM ISOPHOT-P: major contribution comes secondary star spectrum, some thermal emission accretion stream, possibly additional cyclotron radiation post-shock material close magnetised white dwarf. Having re- processed ISOPHOT-C data, we confirm Aqr detection at 90 re-estimated its upper limit 170 µm. In addition, having re-processed IRAS detected 60 estimated limits 12, 25, 100 The literature shows that time-averaged increases roughly frequency wavelengths up ∼761 µm; our results indicate it seems be approximately flat ∼90 µm, same level as 3σ then decreases mt o∼7 Thermal dust grains or circum-binary disc very unlikely Aqr, unless such has properties substantially different those predicted recently. Since various measurements usual assumptions on source size suggest brightness temperature below 10 9 Ka tλ ≤ 3.4 mm, reconsidered also possible mechanisms explaining already known submillimetre radio. complex average measured ∼7 must explained by plasma composed more than one "pure" non-thermal electron energy distribution (usually assumed power- law): either large volume (diameter ≥ 80 times binary separation) could bremsstrahlung which would dominate ∼10 o the∼millimetre, with, inside, synchrotron dominates radio; or, probably, an initially small infrared several distributions (possibly both thermal, non- mildly relativistic electrons) radiates gyro-synchrotron expands moderately: requires re-energised order lead observed, larger, highly electrons (in form distributions) produce synchrotron.