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At least 73 records · Page 4

SAS 3 observations of two X-ray transient events with precursors

SAS 3 has observed two unusual fast transient X-ray events from different sources, one lasting about 150 s and one, approximately 1500 s. Both events were preceded by precursor pulses which lasted a few seconds and which rose and fell in less than 0.4 s. The precursors were separated from the 'main' events by several seconds, during which no X-rays were detected. There are similarities between the two main events and X-ray bursts in both their temporal and spectral evolution. The spectra of the main events started out much softer than the spectra of the precursors, became harder as they approached maximum intensity, and softened as they decayed. In the 1500-s event, X-rays with energies greater than 10 keV were delayed by about 80 s compared with 1.5-6-keV X-rays. A blackbody fit to the spectral data of the main event of approximately 1500-s duration gives a maximum temperature of 29 million K and a radius for the emitting region of at least about 9 km (at a distance of 10 kpc); this is similar to the temperature and sizes found for several X-ray burst sources.

Hoffman, J. A.↗

Recent results from observations of 4U1700-37 using SAS-3

SAS-3 observations of a complete orbital cycle (approximately 3.5 d) of the X-ray source 4U1700-37 are presented. A persistent, approximately sinusoidal modulation of approximately 60% amplitude is present in the data at 97 m. Satellite orbital effects are ruled out by using other detectors pointed away from the source but sampled at the same time. The effect of such a long rotation period (if indeed the period is rotational) on current ideas involving accretion torques and stellar wind is discussed.

Matilsky, T.↗

Tabulated data from the SAS-2 high energy gamma ray telescope

The second small astronomy satellite (SAS-2) carried a high energy gamma ray telescope into an equitorial orbit with a 2 D inclination, an apogee of 610 km, and a perigee of 440 km. The energy threshold of the instrument was about 30 MeV, the energy of the gamma rays could be measured up to about 200 MeV, and the integral intensity above 200 MeV could also be measured. Summary tables of the gamma ray data are presented in two energy bands, 35-100 MeV and 100 MeV. The sky was divided into 144 solid angle elements, and, in each solid angle element for which data exist, the number of gamma rays observed is given and also the exposure factor. Information is provided to permit conversion of these data into approximate intensities.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

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.↗

Further analysis of SAS 3 observations of the rapid burster /MXB 1730-335/

SAS 3 observations of the rapid burster MXB 1730-335 are analyzed with specific reference to the rapidly repetitive type II bursts and also the type I bursts. It is found that: (1) there are two stable patterns in the recurrence of the rapidly repetitive type II bursts, designated modes I and II; (2) the range of type II burst energies is a factor of about 100 for mode I and a factor of about 10 for mode II; (3) type II burst spectra are best fitted by a blackbody of constant temperature (of the order of 18 million K), constant column density, and decreasing intensity; and (4) type I bursts are best fitted by a blackbody spectrum with decreasing temperature (approximately 24 million K during the first few seconds and 16 million K about 10 sec later). The spectral fits for both types of burst are shown to yield sizes for the emission region comparable to the radius of a neutron star. A model for the rapid burster is suggested.

Marshall, H. L.↗

Data reduction and analysis of SAS-1 data

An abstracted bibliography of 59 articles addressing the analysis of X-ray observations from the UHURU X-Ray Observatory (SAS-1) is presented. Investigations of galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources, X-ray binaries, and transient and burst phenomena are highlighted.

Giacconi, R.↗

Observations of the giant radio lobes region of Centaurus A with SAS 3

Observations of the X-ray flux from the extended radio lobes of the galaxy Centaurus A obtained with the SAS 3 observatory are reported. The 15 x 15 deg region that includes the lobes was mapped by superposing data from raster scans with the horizontal tubular collimator detectors, which have a 1.7 deg FWHM circular field of view. Data obtained is consistent with the presence of superposed emission from the point sources NGC 5128 and MX 1312-42, a previously unreported source detected by the Einstein Observatory IPC. Fluxes of 4.63 + or - 0.14 x 10 to the -10th and 4.6 + or - 0.6 x 10 to the -11th ergs/sq cm per sec were measured for NGC 5128 and MX 1312-42, respectively, with best fit power law spectra of indices 0.83 + or - 0.04 and 0.62 + or - 0.10 and hydrogen column densities of 1.23 + or - 0.10 x 10 to the 23rd and 9.7 + or - 15.0 x 10 to the 21st atoms/sq cm. Results imply an upper limit of 2.9 x 10 to the 11th for the X-ray emission from the extended radio lobes of Cen A between 2 and 10 keV, which indicates a lower limit to the magnetic field in the lobes of 1.6 x 10 to the -6th gauss.

Marshall, F. J.↗

Circinus X-1 - X-ray observations with SAS 3

Eight observations of Cir X-1 with SAS 3, each lasting 1-6 days, have yielded a variety of new phenomena, viz., a luminous state of steady emission, rapid large-intensity dips, an extremely rapid X-ray transition, and bright flares. Through searches for periodic X-ray pulsations were carried out on data trains of duration up to 6 days; upper limits for pulsations with periods greater than 250 microsec range down to 0.3%. Aperiodic variability with characteristic times of 0.4-1.0 sec was observed but is not well characterized by a simple shot noise model. No millisecond bursts were observed during 40,000 sec in three separate observations. Spectral parameters derived before and after several X-ray transitions indicate that the transitions are not due to absorption of X-rays by intervening gas. Models previously proposed for the Cir X-1 system do not easily provide explanations for all the complex phenomena reported herein.

Dower, R. G.↗

Reexamination of the SAS 2 Cygnus X-3 data

Recent observations of Cygnus X-3 have shown marked variability of the radiation on short time scales. In particular, the bursts lasting on the order of 10 minutes, seen in both the infrared and very high energy (greater than 10 to the 11th eV) gamma-ray regions, and the time-variations on many scales at high energies, have stimulated a reanalysis of the March 6 to 13, 1973 SAS 2 high-energy gamma-ray data. Although a clear periodicity in the E greater 35 MeV gamma radiation is observed at the 4.79 hr period seen in X-rays, there is no evidence for major variations of the radiation from one day to the next, and no statistically significant evidence for bursts on the 10-minute time scale seen in the infrared or very high energy ranges. If the excess observed had been predominantly in the form of ten minute bursts even at a rate as high as two/day, a clearly significant set of bursts would have been seen.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

Catalog of SAS-2 gamma-ray observations (Fichtel, et al. 1990)

The machine-readable version of the catalog, as it is currently being distributed from the Astronomical Data Center, is described. The SAS-2 gamma ray catalog contains fluxes measured with the high energy gamma ray telescope flown aboard the second NASA Small Astronomy Satellite. The objects measured include various types of galaxies, quasi-stellar, and BL Lacertae objects, and pulsars. The catalog contains separate files for galaxies, pulsars, other objects, notes, and references.

Warren, Wayne H., Jr.↗

The gamma ray experiment for the Small Astronomy Satellite B (SAS-B)

A magnetic core digitized spark chamber gamma ray telescope has been developed for satellite use. The detector has the following characteristics: effective area = 500 cu/cm, solid angle = 1/4 SR; efficiency (high energy) = 0.29; and time resolution of better than two milliseconds.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

SAS-A spacecraft magnetic tests

Magnetic tests were conducted on the spacecraft for: (1) alignment, compensation, calibration, and bias determination for the spacecraft three-axis vector magnetometer; (2) determination of permanent, induced, and stray magnetic moments of the spacecraft and compensation of permanent magnetic moments by permanent magnets; and (3) evaluation of the spin and attitude control system.

Boyle, J. C.↗

Star sensor/mapper with a self deployable, high-attenuation light shade for SAS-B

A star sensor/mapper to determine positional data for the small astronomy satellites was tested to detect stars of plus 4 visual magnitude. It utilizes two information channels with memory so that it can be used with a low-data-rate telemetry system. One channel yields star amplitude information; the other yields the time of star occurrence as the star passes across an N-slit reticle/photomultiplier detector system. Some of the features of the star sensor/mapper are its low weight of 6.5 pounds, low power consumption of 0.4 watt, bandwidth switching to match the satellite spin rate, optical equalization of sensitivity over the 5-by-10 deg field of view, and self-deployable sunshade. The attitude determination accuracy is 3 arc minutes. This is determined by such parameters as the reticle configuration, optical train, and telemetry readout. The optical and electronic design of the star sensor/mapper, its expansion capabilities, and its features are discussed.

Schenkel, F. W.↗

Spacecraft control section for the improved Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS)

The upgraded spacecraft control section for the Small Astronomy Satellite is able to point its thrust axis to any direction in space; it can also spin or slow its outer body rotation to zero for star-locked pointing of side viewing experiments. A programmable telemetry system and delayed command system enhance the inherent capability of a spacecraft designed to be used for a variety of experiments, each of which can be built independently and attached just prior to final acceptance testing and launch. The design of this new spacecraft, whose first launch is scheduled for 1975, is provided in sufficient detail to permit the reader to ascertain its suitability for specific experiments. A summary of the spacecraft characteristics, project reliability requirements, and environmental test conditions are included in the appendices.

Townsend, M. R.↗

The SAS-A aspect system

On Dec. 12, 1970, the United States Small Astronomy Satellite-A was launched into orbit around the earth. The X-ray instrument carried by the spacecraft was the first satellite instrument to be devoted exclusively to the study of stellar X-ray sources. The primary objective of the instrument was to perform an all-sky survey to detect and locate stellar X-ray sources with location accuracies of one arc-minute for the stronger sources. A system description is given together with details of circuits, alignment procedures, and calibration sequences.

Jagoda, N.↗