Cygnus X-1 revisited

Abstract

The X- and gamma-ray observations of Cygnus X-1 and their theoretical interpretations are reviewed, with emphasis on new developments since the mid-1970s. The overall data base at present is most consistent with the inverse Compton model by hot thermal electrons of T(e) of about 10 billion K, for the hard X-ray luminosity (10-200 keV). However, the origin of the soft X-rays (not greater than 10 keV) in high states and gamma rays (greater than 200 keV) remain unsettled.