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Results for “X-ray binaries”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
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NASA NTRS1972

Evidence for the binary nature of Centaurus X-3 from Uhuru X-ray observations.

Analysis of data spanning a year of observations of the pulsating X-ray source Cen X-3 from Uhuru has revealed the existence of periodic variations in intensity of the source and correlated sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations. We interpret this effect as due to an occulting binary system. The changes in intensity are then due to occultation of the X-ray source by a large massive companion, and the sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations are due to Doppler effect. Physical parameters for the system are derived, and evidence for the existence and nature of an extended atmosphere surrounding the massive occulting object is discussed.

Schreier, E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

New results from long-term observations of Cyg X-1

Observations of Cyg X-1 between October 1974 and July 1975 reveal a persistent 5.6 day modulation of the 3 to 6 keV X-ray intensity, having a minimum in phase with superior conjunction of the HDE 226868 binary system. The modulation is found to be most pronounced just prior to the April-May 1975 increase of Cyg X-1, after which both the modulation and intensity are at their lowest values for the entire duration of the observations. These data imply that the X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 arises from the compact member of HDE 226868, and that the increase of April-May 1975 may have represented the depletion of accreting material which was not mixed into a cylindrically symmetric accretion disk about the compact member.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

New results from long-term observations of Cyg X-1

Observations of Cyg X-1 between October 1974 and July 1975 reveal a persistent 5.6 day modulation of the 3-6 keV X-ray intensity, having a minimum in phase with superior conjunction of the HDE 226868 binary system. The modulation is found to be most pronounced just prior to the April-May 1975 increase of Cyg X-1, after which both the modulation and intensity are at their lowest values for the entire duration of the observations. These data imply that the X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 arises from the compact member of HDE 226868, and that the increase of April-May 1975 may have represented the depletion of accreting material which had not yet been mixed into a cylindrically symmetric accretion disk about the compact member.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Ultraviolet observations of alpha Aurigae from Copernicus

Emission lines of L-alpha (1215.67 A) and O VI (1031.94 A) were detected in the spectroscopic binary alpha Aur (Capella) with the Princeton experiment on Copernicus. Temperatures of the emitting regions are inferred to be in excess of 300,000 K. The temperature and emission measure are consistent with a variable source of soft X-rays. If the emission is attributed to the primary star (G5 III), the atmosphere is expanding with velocities of about 20-100 km/s. Such expansion can lead to material within the binary system. The density of interstellar hydrogen inferred from absorption of stellar L-alpha appears to be approximately 0.01 hydrogen atoms per cu cm.

Dupree, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A model for the X-ray nova A0620-00

The model involves a white dwarf accreting mass from a late-type subgiant companion. The transient behavior of the X-ray source is explained by the instability to mass loss of the companion (as in Algol-type binaries). The brightening, spectrum, and decay timescale of the optical counterpart are explained in terms of re-emission of X-radiation intercepted by the subgiant. It was concluded that A0620-00 can provide an excellent test case for numerical models of stellar atmospheres irradiated by an external X-ray flux.

Endal, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-8 GSFC results on Cen X-3

Spectra of Cen X-3 during eclipse, in transition out of eclipse, and during several later phases of the binary orbit were obtained from quick look data of the July 16-25, 1975 observation by the Goddard X-ray spectroscopy experiment on OSO-8. In the high state there was no absorption turn over. Pulsations were present at least to 23 keV. The spectrum at the pulse minimum was flatter above 7 keV than that of the pulse peak. In transition out of eclipse Cen X-3 emerged above a small low energy flux seen during eclipse. The observations appear to indicate absorption by cold and ionized matter and the presence of iron in the companion's atmosphere. Decreased intensities were observed at late phases of some binary orbits in some cases corresponding to dips. Absorption appears although the low energy component remains. Variable features may be interpretable as absorption and emission by iron and possibly other trace elements.

Swank, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A model for the X-ray nova A0620-00

A model is proposed for the transient X-ray source A0620-00 involving a white dwarf accreting mass from a late-type subgiant companion. The transient behavior of the X-ray source is explained by the instability to mass loss of the companion (as in Algol-type binaries). The brightening, spectrum, and decay timescale of the optical counterpart are explained in terms of re-emission of X-radiation intercepted by the subgiant. A0620-00 should provide an excellent test case for numerical models of stellar atmospheres irradiated by an external X-ray flux.

Endal, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Galactic X-ray sources

Data on galactic X-ray sources from rocket and balloon experiments and the UHURU satellite are reported. The outline emphasizes general discrete source models and begins with some a priori considerations about X-ray emission mechanisms and their applicability, after which contemporary data are interpreted according to these models. Topics covered include the production of X-rays by various mechanisms, source regimes, observational parameters, stellar distributions, individual stars, flare stars, supernovae and pulsars, the Crab nebula, old and young remnants, binary systems, and others.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Observations of Circinus X-1 from Uhuru

Analysis of Uhuru observations of the X-ray source Cir X-1 (3U 1516-56) suggests that the source may be a binary with a period longer than 15.0 days. Significant intensity variations have been observed on all time scales from 0.1 sec to days. Changes in the X-ray energy spectrum from 2 to 20 keV have also been found. A refined X-ray position, containing no obvious optical counterpart, is reported. The similarities between Cyg X-1 and Cir X-1 suggest that the X rays from Cir X-1 may be produced by accretion onto a massive, collapsed object.

Jones, C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Thermal expansion: Metallic elements and alloys

The introductory sections of the work are devoted to the theory of thermal expansion of solids and to methods for the measurement of the linear thermal expansion of solids (X-ray methods, high speed methods, interferometry, push-rod dilatometry, etc.). The bulk of the work is devoted to numerical data on the thermal linear expansion of all the metallic elements, a large number of intermetallics, and a large number of binary alloy systems and multiple alloy systems. A comprehensive bibliography is provided along with an index to the materials examined.

Touloukian, Y. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Triaxial degenerate dwarfs and pulsing X-ray sources

It is shown that triaxial configurations for rotating degenerate dwarfs consisting entirely of fluid are not limited to forms analogous to the Jacobi ellipsoids. Arguments are presented which rule out only the specialized class of uniformly rotating analogs of the Jacobi ellipsoid for some degenerate dwarfs. Several ways of forming triaxial degenerate dwarfs are examined along with the characteristic lifetimes of such objects. Noting that some of the alternative forms may exist in mass-transfer binary systems, consideration is given to the secondaries in Her X-1 and Cen X-3. It is suggested that the secondary in Her X-1 must be close to an analog of a Dedekind ellipsoid, and plausible triaxial white-dwarf configurations are proposed for the secondary in Cen X-3.

Durisen, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Intense soft X-ray flux from Hercules X-1

An intense flux of soft X-rays extending up to at least 1 keV has been observed from Her X-1. If the soft X-ray intensity is corrected for interstellar absorption, the luminosity in the 0.16-0.28 keV band is comparable to that from 2 to 10 keV. This confirms the conclusion of Shulman et al. (1975) but extends the detection of this flux to higher energy, a different binary phase, and to a time 19 periods later in the 35-day cycle. These observations suggest that this soft emission may be a stable feature in the spectrum of Her X-1 during its X-ray on state. It appears difficult to account for the high soft X-ray luminosity by current simple models of the X-ray source.

Catura, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

High-energy X-ray observations of the southern sky

Results are reported for high-energy (above 17 keV) balloon-borne X-ray observations in the southern sky which detected at least five sources that produced X-ray counts above background with a significance of four or more standard deviations. The probable sources observed include GX 301-2 (3U 1223-62), GX 1+4 (3U 1728-24), GX 5-1 (3U 1758-25), GX 3+1 (3U 1744-26), and GX 331-1. It is noted that some or all of the flux attributed to GX 5-1 might be due to 3U 1820-30 and that GX 3+1 was not completely resolved from GX 1+4. Energy spectra are given for each source along with upper limits to periodic fluctuations of the detected fluxes in the frequency range from 0.01 to 100 Hz. A possible observation of a flux from the eclipsing binary source 3U 1700-37 is discussed.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Optical candidates for two X-ray sources.

Suggestion of the bright stars X Per and HD 77581 as possible candidates for the X-ray sources 2U 0352+30 and 2U 0900-40 respectively. The first is an active, rapidly rotating Be star which is losing mass. The second is similar to BD+34.3815 deg, a likely candidate for Cyg X-1, in spectral type and in the possibility that it may be a short-period binary.

Brucato, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High energy and solar astronomy, overview

A survey of our own galaxy and neighboring galaxies using X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays is outlined. High energy astrophysic results suggest the presence of a new acceleration mechanism where the inflow of matter on collapsed objects seems to be one of the sources of complex time variations in binary systems.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗