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Results of observations of Cygnus X-2 are reported that were made with an X-ray telescope on board the OSO-7 satellite during the three intervals of January 9-16 and 21-26, 1972, and July 8-11, 1972. Random factor-of-two variations were found in the data. No statistically significant periodic variations were found in the range from 10 hours to 2 days.
The UCSD X-ray telescope on board OSO-7 provided 43 days of continuous coverage of the variable X-ray source Cen X-3 at energies above 7 keV during December 1971 and January 1972. We detected the 4.8-sec pulsation period, the 2.087-day eclipse cycle, and an apparently nonperiodic, low-intensity state lasting more than 12 days. Spectra obtained over the 7-30 keV range during noneclipsed high-intensity states are steeper than those previously reported. Large changes, which may be characterized by a number spectral index alpha varying between 3.0 plus or minus 0.2 and 2.0 plus or minus 0.3, or by exponential spectra with kT varying from 6 plus or minus 2 to 13 plus or minus 3 keV, occur at different high-intensity states.
The MIT X-ray detectors aboard the OSO-7 spacecraft viewed Hercules X-1 from November 14 to 24, 1972. X-ray turn-on in the 35-day cycle was observed to occur between phases 0.67 and 0.70 (November 18.64-18.70). A significant decrease in the X-ray intensity occurred near mid-orbital phase, approximately 1.5 days after X-ray turn-on. Using the 1-6 keV data obtained during the 35-day off state, we conclude that if the optical light curve is due to heating of the large star by a blackbody source of soft X-rays, then the source must be large (radius greater than 5,000 km) and cool (temperature (kT) less than 90 eV). During one eclipse period (November 20.8-21.0) we find evidence for 1-6 keV X-ray emission.
An X-ray source with a flux of 1.6 times 10 to the -10th power ergs per sec/sq cm (2-10 keV) has been observed at high galactic latitude by the MIT X-ray detectors on the OSO-7 satellite. Designated GX 8+50, its position is 15 hr 14.2 min right ascension, 6 deg 51 min declination, with a 90 percent confidence error circle of area 0.5 sq deg. The data are consistent with a power-law spectrum with an exponent 1.2 (plus or minus 0.2) or a thermal-bremsstrahlung spectrum with kT = 4 plus or minus 1 keV. A likely identification is the Abell cluster A2052, whose center coincides with the radio source 3C 317.
The Goddard Space Flight Center instrument carried on the pointed section of the OSO-7 satellite is described. This instrument contains: an extreme-ultraviolet spectroheliograph using glancing incidence optics of Wolter's Type II to focus the sun's light on the entrance slit of a concave grating spectrometer; an auxiliary H-alpha system; two X-ray spectroheliographs using mechanical collimators for spatial resolution and Ross filters to isolate spectral bands of interest; and a flare polarimeter operating in the 15-40 keV X-ray region. The subsystems may be operated in a number of modes which, when combined with the spacecraft modes, give the instrument great flexibility for making solar observations. Representative results from each of the subsystems are presented.
The results of observations performed with X-ray detectors aboard OSO-7 and Uhuru at 13 different times ranging from 16 months before to 2 years after Sn 1972e maximum light are reported. Only one possible (3.2 sigma) positive result was found. The absence of any sizable flux contradicts the model of Shklovsky and imposes limitations on the model of Colgate and McKee.
The data is reviewed from the gamma ray experiment on OSO-7. Analysis of the data, and information on the data processing are described.
The programming system is presented which was developed to prepare the data from the gamma ray monitor on OSO-7 for scientific analysis. The detector, data, and objectives are described in detail. Programs presented include; FEEDER, PASS-1, CAL1, CAL2, PASS-3, Van Allen Belt Predict Program, Computation Center Plot Routine, and Response Function Programs.
The physical nature of solar flares implied by the data was studied. The empirical results were obtained primarily from the OGO-5 and OSO-7 X-ray data in combination with optical data. The principal conclusions regarding the physics of flares are the following. (1) Flares are produced by magnetic field reconnection. (2) The resulting thermal X-ray plasma is cooled primarily by heat conduction rather than by radiative cooling. (3) The heating and cooling of the thermal X-ray plasma are approximately in balance during the maximum phase of the flare.
A gamma ray experiment to be flown aboard the OSO-7 spacecraft is described along with a history of the development of the experiment, a description of the gamma ray detector and its operation, and a short preliminary review of the scientific information obtained during the instruments' lifetime. The gamma ray detector operated an average of 18 hours a day for approximately 15 months. The majority of the data was collected in the solar and antisolar direction, but data at right angles to the spacecraft-sun line was also accumulated. In all, at least two full scans of the celestial sphere were completed.
An OSO-1 type baseplate of a low thermal-expansion glass-ceramic material was evaluated for its dimensional stability after exposure to thermal cycling and mechanical vibration. The results indicate that baseplates of relatively simple design can be successfully cast and machined, although the demonstration article produced deviated somewhat from design specifications. It is likely that baseplates of more sophisticated designs and improved structural efficiency also can be prepared from low thermal expansion material.
The results of solar radiation observations in the extreme ultra-violet spectrum from 200 A to 600 A made by the OSO-7 Satellite were studied. The results of the influence of attenuation by the atmosphere in the 250 to 500 km altitude range are presented. Using published molecular absorption cross-sections at 304 A and 256 A, the Jaccia atmospheric model is validated, and shows that a mean exospheric of 1050 K is appropriate for the sunset data.
Results of observations made (during the period from June 30 to July 5, 1972) of Cyg X-3 with the UCSD OSO-7 X-ray telescope in the range from about 7 to 100 keV. The 4.8-hour variation was detected in the 6.6-21.2 keV range, and the ratio of high intensity to mean intensity was 1.52 plus or minus 0.16. In the 21.2-97.8 keV range no 4.8-hour variation in phase with the 6.6-21.2 keV variation could be detected, and the ratio at the phase of high intensity to the mean intensity was 0.6 plus or minus 0.4.
Polarization measurements of solar X-ray events that were obtained with an instrument on OSO-7 are presented. The results appear to be consistent with the results of Tindo et al. on the existence and magnitudes of polarization. A comparison with polarization predictions when X-rays are produced by radial beams of electrons gives two examples of deviations from such a model.
Data on 123 hard X-ray bursts observed by the satellite OSO-7 between Oct. 10, 1971 and June 6, 1972 are described and evaluated. Typical duration of a burst is 100 sec. Average spectral indices lie between 3.5 and 5.5 for two-thirds of the 123 bursts, with a median of 4.6. In some events a soft-hard-soft pattern is observed, but there are numerous examples in which the spectrum softens continuously throughout the burst. The mean shape of the hard X-ray time profile as measured by the full width at half maximum does not depend on burst amplitude; nor does the spectral hardness correlate with the flux. The distribution of burst peak fluxes and the observation of large soft X-ray bursts without accompanying hard X rays suggest the existence of a distinct class of solar flares which emit only soft X rays. No center-to-limb variation was found in the frequency of occurrence of bursts or in the fraction with a nonthermal component. Estimates of the energy in the form of nonthermal electrons and in the flare plasma derived from these data indicate that the total amounts in each are comparable.
Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud with the 1-40 keV X-ray detectors on the OSO-7 satellite are reported. Results include the discovery of a previously unreported source LMC X-5, measurements of the spectral characteristics of four sources, and observations of their variability on time scales of months.
Theoretical solar chromospheric and photospheric models are computed for use in analyzing OSO 8 spectra. The Vernazza, Avrett, and Loeser (1976) solar model is updated and self-consistent non-LTE number densities for H I, He I, He II, C I, Mg I, Al I, Si I, and H(-) are produced. These number densities are used in the calculation of a theoretical solar spectrum from 90 to 250 nm, including approximately 7000 lines in non-LTE. More than 60,000 lines of other elements are treated with approximate source functions.
The large-area graphite crystal X-ray spectrometer on the OSO-8 satellite is described, and its response to stellar line and continuum radiation is discussed. A high resolution X-ray spectrum of Sco X-1 obtained from a preliminary analysis of quick look data shows a strong, smooth continuum with an absence of emission or absorption features over the energy range 2.2 to 8 keV. Upper limits are set on narrow line emission from highly ionized states of S, Ca, and Fe.