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Mchardy, I. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Mchardy, I. M..

Long term variability of 3C279

Radio, mm, optical, UV and X-ray light curves of 3C 279 as well as the gamma-ray light curve available since 1991 June are considered. Strong flux correlations are found between the X-ray and the radio-optical region. Variations at 100 MeV are well correlated to the optical and X-ray bands. The variability amplitude, as measured by an average logarithmic dispersion of the available measurements is small in the radio and increases systematically with increasing frequency up to the gamma-ray band, with the possible exception of the X-ray amplitude.

Grandi, P.↗

A ROSAT observation of NGC 5548

We present a detailed spectral and temporal analysis of a long ROSAT PSPC pointing centered on the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. The spectrum is particularly complex, with a two-component model favored, confirming the existence of the soft excess in this source. In addition, an absorption feature arising from highly ionized oxygen in the line of sight has been detected, consistent with an origin in the 'warm absorber' which has been found to be a common feature in Seyfert galaxies observed by Ginga. The energy and depth of the feature should allow us to constrain the density and geometry of the absorbing gas, which may lie close to the central continuum source. NGC 5548 was in a low X-ray state during the observation, brightening by a factor of about 2 on a time-scale of about 2 d. Time-resolved spectral analysis shows a change in the ratio of the hard and soft fluxes, consistent with reprocessing models.

Nandra, K.↗

H0414 + 009 - An X-ray bright BL Lac with a radio tail in a distant cluster of galaxies

Observations of the X-ray-selected BL Lac H0414 + 009 with the VLA indicate a steep-spectrum radio tail extending about 40 arcsec from the core. Deep V, R, and I CCD images show this object to be located in a galaxy whose colors and surface brightness are fitted by an elliptical model. The BL Lac and the cluster of galaxies are physically associated, indicating that BL Lacs do not avoid the cluster environment but are found in groups and clusters as often as are normal radio galaxies; this supports the contention that BL Lacs are normal radio galaxies seen 'end on'.

Mchardy, I. M.↗

Identification of 4U 1849-31 with V1223 Sagittarii and discovery of optical pulsations

The X-ray source 4U 1849-31 is identified with the 13 mag star V1223 Sgr, on the basis of a precise HEAO 1 modulation collimator X-ray position uniquely selected by the Ariel-5 sky survey location. It is shown by optical spectroscopy and photometry that V1223 Sgr is a cataclysmic variable, displaying a photometric period of 13.2 min that is interpreted as being due to the rotation of a degenerate dwarf. The similarity of this system to H2252-035 is noted.

Steiner, J. E.↗

The optical identification of H2252-035 with a cataclysmic variable

An improved position is presented for the X-ray source H2252-033 using the Ariel V Sky Survey Instrument, and precise positioning using the Scanning Modulation Collimator on HEAO-1. The source is identified optically with a 13th magnitude emission-line object, which is probably a white dwarf binary with a well formed accretion disk, with similarities to the dwarf novae (e.g., SS Cyg) at minimum.

Griffiths, R. E.↗