Interpretation of observations of the circumbinary disk of SS 433

Understand

Context.

• The Galactic microquasar SS 433 is possessed of a circumbinary disk most clearly seen in the brilliant Balmer H alpha emission line.
• The orbital speed of the glowing material is an important determinant of the mass of the binary system.
• The circumbinary disk may be fed through the L2 point and in turn may feed a very extended radio feature known as the ruff.