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Clark, G. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Clark, G. W..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

A0535+26 - Refined position measurement and new pulse period data

The hard, pulsing, transient X-ray source A0535+26 has been observed with SAS 3 on three occasions during 1977-1978. These observations have yielded a precise position measurement (20 arcsec error radius), which renders the identification of A0535+26 with the Be star HDE 245770 virtually certain. The pulse phase was tracked for about 9 days in April 1978 and clearly showed both first and second derivatives in the pulse period. An analysis of these timing data, combined with data from previous observations, leads to the following conclusions: (1) a significant fraction of the observed changes in pulse period is probably intrinsic to the compact X-ray star (e.g., accretion torques on a neutron star), and (2) conservative limits on binary orbital parameters tend to further confirm a long orbital period (at least about 20 days).

Li, F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Observations of an X-ray QSO

This paper reports X-ray, optical, radio, and IR measurements of the z = 0.068 QSO MR2251-178, which was initially discovered on the basis of its X-ray emission. Data are provided on the position, optical colors, and 2-10-keV X-ray luminosity of this low-redshift QSO. An absolute V magnitude of -24.2 is implied, and the X-ray/optical luminosity ratio is estimated to be about 3:1 at peak X-ray brightness. It is shown that the optical spectrum of MR2251-178 is quite normal for a QSO, except for an extremely broad H-alpha emission line with a FWZI of 30,000 to 40,000 km/s. The overall spectrum of MR2251-178 from the radio to the X-ray region is plotted, and the photometric history of this QSO since 1889 is briefly discussed.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Discovery and optical identification of 2S0921-630

The discovery of a faint X-ray source at approximately 282 deg galactic longitude, -9 deg galactic latitude with the rotation modulation collimator X-ray detectors aboard SAS 3 is reported. The source is designated 2S 0921-630 and is tentatively identified, on the basis of an optical search, with a 17th magnitude star exhibiting the He II line at 4686 A and H-beta in emission. The optical spectrum of this star is shown to be similar to those of the optical counterparts of Sco X-1 and other such galactic X-ray sources. It is suggested that 2S 0921-630 may belong to the class of low-luminosity galactic X-ray binaries.

Li, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Orbital elements of 4U 0115+63 and the nature of the hard X-ray transients

Extended SAS 3 timing observations of the hard transient X-ray source 4U 0115+63 are reported, and a definitive measurement of the binary orbit of this transient source is presented. It is shown that this source is in a long orbit (period of approximately 24.3 days) that is moderately eccentric (e about 0.34) and that the mean value of the rate of decrease of the pulse period is consistent with the expected spinup of a rotating neutron star that is accreting from a disk. A distance of about 2.5 kpc is inferred, and the B-star optical counterpart is estimated to have an absolute magnitude of approximately -1.5 and a mass of at least 5 solar masses. It is suggested that the companion is a Be star which does not fill its Roche lobe and that the eccentricity and transient nature of the source result from the large orbital separation. It is proposed that hard X-ray transients as a class are collapsed stars (perhaps all neutron stars) in binary systems that are substantially wider than the more persistent X-ray binaries and that the large orbital separation, the small radius of the companion, or both, result in episodic rather than continuous mass transfer onto the X-ray star.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Discovery of 3.6-s X-ray pulsations from 4U0115+63

SAS 3 observations reveal a pulsation period of 3.61 sec for the transient X-ray source 4U0115+63. Positional measurement is accurate to approximately 30 arc s, and has led to the likely identification of an optical counterpart. The intensity of the pulses, as reported on 5.9 January 1978, is given as approximately 1.7 times that of the Crab Nebula (1-27 keV). Spectral information was also obtained from the ratios of counting rates in the first three energy channels of the center slat collimator detector (1-27 keV). Two classes of models are proposed to explain the transient nature of the X-ray sources: (1) episodic mass transfer in a binary system, and (2) eccentric binary orbits.

Cominsky, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Recent results of X-ray observations from OSO-7 and SAS-3

Recent observations bearing on the nature of compact X-ray sources obtained from the MIT instruments aboard OSO-7 and SAS-3 are discussed. Results on the X-ray sky survey, new ultralow-energy X-ray sources, X-ray sources in globular clusters, slow X-ray pulsars, and variability and position of compact X-ray sources in Cen A are discussed. Descriptions of the satellite-borne X-ray instruments are provided.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of galactic X-ray sources by OSO-7

We present the MIT data from the OSO-7 satellite for observations of the galactic plane between 1971 and 1974. A number of sources discovered in the MIT all-sky survey are described in detail: MX 0049 + 59, MX 0836 - 42, MX 1353 - 64, MX 1406 - 61, MX 1418 - 61, MX 1709 - 40, and MX 1608 - 52 (the persistent source suggested to be associated with the X-ray burst source XB 1608 - 52). Upper limits to the X-ray emission from a number of interesting objects are also derived. General results describing all of our observations of galactic sources are presented. Specifically, we display the number-intensity diagrams, luminosity functions, and color-color diagrams for all of the sources we detected. The data are divided between disk and bulge populations, and the characteristics of the two groups are contrasted. Finally, the concept of X-ray source populations and the relationship of globular cluster sources and burst sources to the disk and bulge populations are discussed.

Markert, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

X-ray and radio observations of the structure of Abell 478

The complex X-ray and radio structures of the cluster of galaxies Abell 478 have been observed in the 2-11-keV energy band by the rotating modulation collimators on the SAS-3 X-ray observatory and at 1415 MHz by the Westerbork synthesis radio telescope. The X-ray data imply an extended source (X-ray luminosity of the order of 10 to the 45th power erg/s) and are consistent with the presence of a coincident pointlike source X-ray luminosity of the order of 10 to the 45th power erg/s. The X-ray source position is also coincident with a cD radio galaxy at the core of the cluster.

Schnopper, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Discovery of a 7.68 second X-ray periodicity in 3U 1626-67

SAS-3 observations of the X-ray source 3U 1626-67 have revealed the presence of a stable 7.68-sec pulse period. This source was selected for study because of its hard X-ray spectrum. The compilation of source spectra used in the selection process is also presented. Pulse arrival times are analyzed for effects of possible binary orbital motion. Upper limits to the projected orbital radius are obtained which tend to exclude orbital periods in the range from about 0.5 to 35 days. Binary systems with either a very long orbit (at least 175 days) or a very short orbit (no more than about 0.3 day) are most probable

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the optical identifications of five X-ray sources

The data from a recently completed survey of the galactic plane with the SAS-3 modulation collimators provide precise (20 to 60 arcsec) celestial positions of galactic X-ray sources. Preliminary positions of 60-arcsec precision are reported for five sources. One of these led to the identification of the star, Gamma Cas, as an X-ray source, and the others lend substantial confidence to previously proposed optical identifications: 3U 0352+30 = X Per, 3U 1145-61 = HEN 715, GX301-2 = WRA977, and GX304-1 = MMV star. These identifications seem to establish the existence of a previously suggested class of Be-star X-ray emitters.

Bradt, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Variable mid-latitude X-ray source 3U 0042+32

A celestial location with an error circle of radius one minute is reported for the mid-latitude X-ray source 3U 0042+32; comparison of observations from the Ariel-5 and Uhuru satellites with data obtained from two independent rotation modulation collimators yields the precise position. Studies to detect regular pulsations and energy spectra of the X-ray source are also discussed. Analysis of the peak X-ray flux in the error circle, as well as certain distance constraints, suggests that the source of the flux may be a neutron star in a distant galactic binary system having a companion that undergoes episodes of mass transfer due to eruption or orbital eccentricity.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Galactic distribution of X-ray burst sources

Data on X-ray bursts recorded by the OSO-8 and SAS-3 satellites and criteria (rise time, duration, recurrence) for X-ray bursts are examined in a study of possible correlation between the galactic longitude distribution of X-ray burst sources and globular clusters. Correlations are weak, with only two X-ray bursts sources (NGC6624 and the rapid burster) coinciding with globular clusters, another seven possibly coinciding, most not correlated. Ad hoc explanations (globular clusters obscured by dust clouds, bursts associated with remnants of disrupted globular clusters evolved into supermassive black holes) are considered briefly.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

X-ray bursts from MXB 1837+05

Results are reported for SAS 3 observations of 22 bursts from the X-ray source designated MXB 1837+05. Assuming that all the bursts come from one source, the source position is determined to be right ascension (1950) 18 hr 37.9 min, declination (1950) 5 deg 4.2 min. Integrated burst intensities are listed along with ratios of counts in different energy channels, and it is found that there are significant variations in these ratios from burst to burst. The bursts are also shown to exhibit a variety of temporal structures (including double peaks) and changes in spectral hardness. No regularity was detected in the burst occurrence times during one observing period, but four bursts during another period seemed to recur at regular intervals of about 6.3 hr. It is concluded that an intensity-interval correlation similar to that for a rapid burster does not exist for MXB 1837+05 and that this source is probably identical with the relatively strong and steady source Ser X.1.

Li, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The curved crystal X-ray spectrometer for the HEAO-B satellite

The Focal Plane Crystal Spectrometer on HEAO-B is a moderate to high resolution, curved-crystal, Bragg spectrometer which operates behind a grazing incidence X-ray telescope. It is designed to allow detailed spectral studies of both point and extended celestial X-ray sources in the energy range 0.2-3.3 keV, with resolutions of 50 to 1000. The analyzing elements are six torroidal diffractors, and the detectors are position-sensitive, flow, proportional counters. HEAO-B is scheduled for launch in June, 1978.

Canizares, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The transient X-ray source A0620-00 - Intensity variations and evidence for an 8 day periodicity

The X-ray intensity of the transient source A0620-00 has been measured frequently with the SAS-3 X-ray Observatory from August 8, 1975 to February 13, 1976. This brightest of all known X-ray transients shows intensity variations on a time scale of days superposed on a general decline. Intensity data for the period from January 7 to February 13, 1976, show evidence of an approximate 7.8-day periodicity that may be the result of binary motion.

Matilsky, T.↗