First spectrum of the microquasar SS433 with a GJW telescope

In April 2012 we obtained the first spectrum of the Galactic black hole system known as SS433 on a Global Jet Watch telescope. This took place at the Chile school observatory and despite intermittent clouds...

The spectrum shows characteristic features of a spectrum of SS433: the so-called "stationary" H-alpha line which is the most intense in the spectrum. This line isn't completely stationary (which gets very interesting!) but is fairly stationary in comparison with the so-called "moving" H-alpha lines which arise from the rapid jet material ejected from near the black hole at the heart of this system. In addition, three "stationary" Helium lines are also detected in this short exposure which lasted just 1000 seconds.

The spectra were taken using our second test spectrograph, a design called LISA made by Shelyak in France. We are very grateful to Olivier Thizy for his assistance and, as always, very grateful to the school for all their hospitality and support.

Published: July 1, 2012