准周期振荡(QPO)天体GX5-1的双分支谱的唯象分析

本文对小质量X射线双星的准周期振荡的差频模型做了修正和补充。修正的要点是:要考虑柱吸积过程中的粘滞阻尼。由此即可成功地解释QPO天体GX5-1的双分支谱特性。     

黑洞暂现源中的准周期振荡现象

黑洞暂现源是中心天体为恒星级黑洞的X射线双星,其X射线辐射是暂态的。目前已经得到认证的黑洞暂现源总共有17个,黑洞候选体有32个。黑洞暂现源中普遍存在准周期振荡(QPO)现象,按照频率的不同可以将黑洞暂现源中的QPO分为低频QPO和高频QPO两类。相对论性进动模型是现阶段解释低频QPO现象最成功的理论模型,除此之外径向振荡模型和盘振荡模型也可以解释某些低频QPO现象;而高频QPO现象可以用相对论性共振模型以及盘振荡模型解释。研究黑洞暂现源QPO现象有利于更好地了解吸积的本质以及内吸积流的性质,同时为研究黑洞周围强引力场效应提供了窗口。此外,存在一些与QPO现象有关的经验关系,对这些经验关系的研究可以对现有的理论模型提出限制条件。     

ESO 113-G010的一对准周期振荡信号

2005年11月XMM-Newton望远镜对窄线赛弗特星系ESO 113-G010进行了长达100 ks的观测.采用Lomb-Scargle周期图(LSP)法和加权小波Z变换(Weighted Wavelet Z-transform,WWZ)两种方法对数据进行分析,发现存在着～2.24 11和～4.09 h准周期振荡(Quasi-Periodic Oscillation,QPO),其置信度分别为7.3σ和4.8σ.这两个QPO信号的周期具有大约1:2 (1:1.83)的关系.在该源的其他的观测中并没有发现QPO信号,表明这是一种暂现现象.ESO 113-G010中心黑洞的质量MBH和其QPO频率f_(QPO)满足已知的从恒星级黑洞到超大质量黑洞的质量与QPO频率之间的对数线性关系.该源的能谱分析显示在1 keV以下有软X射线超的现象.     

CygX-1 X辐射的功率谱

运用自回归功率谱研究CygX－1X辐射的频谱特征,结果显示CygX－1转换态和高／软态时变频谱的连续成分,可以统一由有截断的幂律加噪声成分描述,转换态存在小于3Hz的宽峰结构及准周期振荡（QPO）成分（4－12Hz）,而高／软态完全可由截断幂律谱描述,不存在显著的QPO．截断频率在各态都相当稳定,在不同态的演化与平流为主的吸积流模型（ADAF）预期的情形一致．本文结果表明,自回归功率港分析是研究X射线双星光变特征的一个有效的方法．     

中子星X射线双星中kHz QPO现象的理论解释

罗西X射线时变探测器(RXTE)在中子星小质量X射线双星中发现了千赫兹准周期振荡现象(kHzQPO)。kHzQPO的频率一般在几百到上千赫兹,其动力学时标与吸积盘最内部区域物质的运动时标一致,因此普遍认为kHz QPO产生于中子星表面附近区域,携带了来自中心中子星及周围强引力场信息,如质量、自转周期、角动量、半径、磁场等。kHz QpO现象的理解为研究强引力场和致密物质状态开启了一扇新的窗口。着重介绍基于kHz QPO的基本现象和相应的理论模型。     

2002年7月23日X射线耀斑的RHESSI和TRACE观测物理图像

通过对比分析TRACE195A和RHESSI的X射线及Ha的图像，发现2002年7月23日的X4.8级耀斑的主体是一个典型的双带耀斑，它的Ha及TRACE195A的图像都显现出明显的双带耀斑特征，TRACE195A的像还呈现一个环拱结构，其环拱的足点与TRACE的亮带并不重合，但TRACE的亮带与X射线像的位置对应很好．在耀斑极大时刻附近，大于38keV的X射线像呈现一个低的环跨在TRACE的双带上，X射线环的顶点及两足点尤其明显，在这个低的环上方，还存在一个在低能量段明显的X射线日冕源，对该耀斑的空间结构及演化特征作了描述，还简单地讨论了一个可能的理论解释．     

低质量X射线双星中QPO现象的理论解释

本文简略地叙述了低质量X射线双星中准周期振荡(QPO)现象的理论解释,对其中的差频模型(BFM)和它的一些发展作了较为详细的介绍。对模型中存在的问题和新观测赐予理论的启示,作了简要的陈述。     

星系团PKS 0745-191中射电气体对X射线气体的加热

对星系团中相对论性粒子的能量演化做了数值计算，在此基础上，联合分析Chandra卫星数据和VLA射电观测结果，计算了星系团PKS0745-191中高能射电气体对X射线气体的加热作用，发现在射电气体幂律谱能量下限为0.001erg时，射电气体对X射线气体的加热不足以补充X射线气体的辐射能损．然后在计算研究了不同能量下限时射电气体对X射线气体的加热作用，并估计了射电气体的能量下限．     

低质量X射线双星中的准周期振荡(QPO)现象

本文系统地介绍了低质量X射线双星(LMXB)中的准周期振荡现象的主要观测事实。对建立理论模型起过主要作用的观测事实,以研究得较为仔细的三个源(GX5-1,CygX-2,ScoX-1)为例,做了比较详细的介绍。新近在QPO和低频噪声中发现,不同能量的光子到达地球的时间有差别,称为延时效应。本文对此做了概括的介绍。     

1993年10月2日耀斑的Hα,微波和硬X射线暴的综合分析

本文介绍1993年10月2日发生的一个1N／C6.5级耀斑多波段观测的结果．综合比较了耀斑的单色象，Hα波段工维光谱，2840兆赫微波爆发和硬X射线爆发资料．得到Hα单色象上不同亮核的强度变化，与微波及硬X射线暴的时间轮廓比较，给出了色球耀斑区亮度场的演化，对照磁图确定了耀斑区的磁场位形，从而对该耀斑产生和加热提出了一种可能的解释．     

An 'outside-in' outburst of Aql X–1

We present optical spectroscopy and optical and infrared photometry of the neutron star soft X-ray transient Aql X–1 during its X-ray outburst of 1997 August. By modelling the X-ray, optical and IR light curves, we find a 3-d delay between the IR and X-ray rise times, analogous to the UV–optical delay seen in dwarf novae outbursts and black hole X-ray transients. We interpret this delay as the signature of an 'outside-in' outburst, in which a thermal instability in the outer disc propagates inward. This outburst is the first of this type definitively identified in a neutron star X-ray transient.     

X-ray transient sources

The galactic distribution and physical nature of X-ray transient sources is investigated. Two types of transients are considered. The observational data on 41 X-ray transient sources are given, and the average parameters of hard and soft X-ray transients are estimated.     

Initial low/hard state, multiple jet ejections and X-ray/radio correlations during the outburst of XTE J1859+226

We have studied the 1999 soft X-ray transient outburst of XTE J1859+226 at radio and X-ray wavelengths. The event was characterized by strong variability in the disc, corona and jet – in particular, a number of radio flares (ejections) took place and seemed well-correlated with hard X-ray events. Apparently unusual for the canonical 'soft' X-ray transient, there was an initial period of low/hard state behaviour during the rise from quiescence but prior to the peak of the main outburst – we show that not only could this initial low/hard state be a ubiquitous feature of soft X-ray transient outbursts, but also it could be extremely important in our study of outburst mechanisms.     

An X-ray and optical study of the new SMC X-ray binary pulsar system SXP7.92 and its probable optical counterpart, AzV285

Optical and X-ray observations are presented here of a newly reported X-ray transient system in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) – SXP7.92. A detailed analysis of the X-ray data reveal a coherent period of 7.9 s. A search through earlier X-ray observations of the SMC reveal a previously unknown earlier detection of this system. Follow-up X-ray observations identified a new transient source within the error circle of the previous observations. An optical counterpart, AzV285, is proposed which reveals clear evidence for a 36.8 d binary period.     

M.I.T. studies of transient X-ray phenomena

A variety of transient X-ray phenomena have been studied by the M.I.T. X-ray Astronomy Group. Data from the OSO-7 satellite reveal both long and short time-scale transients. Extensive observations have been made of the Lupus X-ray Nova (3U1543-47) and of GX339-4 (MX1658-48) which may represent a very different type of transient source A unique, intense X-ray flare lasting ten minutes was also recorded, and the X-ray emission from the active galaxy Cen A was found to vary significantly over a period of several days. In a recent ballon flight the Crab, pulsar, NP0532, was observed to exhibit a transient pulsed component distinct from the usual main pulse and interpulse. A sounding-rocket experiment detected an ultrasoft transient X-ray source tentatively associated with SS Cygni, and preliminary results from SAS-3 show a very hard spectrum for the new source A0535+26. On the other hand, extensive OSO-7 null observations of both Type I and II supernovae and of the flaring radio star Algol make it unlikely that these types of objects are potent transient X-ray emitters.Supported in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under contracts NGL 22-009-015, NSR 22-009-654 and grant NGL 22-099-730 and by the National Science Foundation under grant GP-31378.Paper presented, at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X- and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.     

A transient relativistic radio jet from Cygnus X-1

We report the first observation of a transient relativistic jet from the canonical black hole candidate, Cygnus X-1, obtained with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN). The jet was observed in only one of six epochs of MERLIN imaging of the source during a phase of repeated X-ray spectral transitions in 2004 Jan–Feb, and this epoch corresponded to the softest 1.5–12 keV X-ray spectrum. With only a single epoch revealing the jet, we cannot formally constrain its velocity. Nevertheless, several lines of reasoning suggest that the jet was probably launched 0.5–4.0 d before this brightening, corresponding to projected velocities of  0.2 c ≲ v _app≲ 1.6 c   , and an intrinsic velocity of  ≳0.3 c   . We also report the occurrence of a major radio flare from Cyg X-1, reaching a flux density of ∼120 mJy at 15 GHz, and yet not associated with any resolvable radio emission, despite a concerted effort with MERLIN. We discuss the resolved jet in terms of the recently proposed 'unified model' for the disc–jet coupling in black hole X-ray binaries, and tentatively identify the 'jet line' for Cyg X-1. The source is consistent with the model in the sense that a steady jet appears to persist initially when the X-ray spectrum starts softening, and that once the spectral softening is complete the core radio emission is suppressed and transient ejecta/shock observed. However, there are some anomalies, and Cyg X-1 clearly does not behave like a normal black hole transient in progressing to the canonical soft/thermal state once the ejection event has happened.     

The X-ray transient 080109 in NGC 2770: an X-ray flash associated with a normal core-collapse supernova

Although it is generally thought that long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) are associated with core-collapse supernovae (SNe), so far only four pairs of GRBs and SNe with firmly established connection have been found. All the four GRB-SNe belong to special class of Type Ic – called the broad-lined SNe indicative of a large explosion energy, suggesting that only a small fraction of SNe Ibc have GRBs associated with them. This scheme has been refreshed by the discovery of a bright X-ray transient in NGC 2770 on 2008 January 9, which was followed by a rather normal Type Ib SN 2008D. In this paper, I argue that the transient 080109 is an X-ray flash (XRF, the soft version of a GRB) because of the following evidence. (1) The transient cannot be interpreted as a SN shock breakout event. (2) The GRB X-ray flare interpretation is not supported by the high-energy observation. I then show that XRF 080109 satisfies the well-known relation between the isotropic-equivalent energy and the peak spectral energy for LGRBs, which highly strengthens the XRF interpretation. Finally, I point out that the peak spectral energy of XRF 080109 and the maximum bolometric luminosity of SN 2008D agree with the   E _γ,peak– L _SN,max  relationship of Li, strengthening the validity of the relationship. I speculate that events like XRF 080109 may occur at a rate comparable to SNe Ibc, and a soft X-ray telescope devoted to surveying for nearby X-ray flares will be very fruitful in discovering them.     

Spectral calibration of scanning sky monitor on ASTROSAT

Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) on-board ASTROSAT is an X-ray detector in the energy range 2–10 keV to monitor the sky for transient X-ray sources. The science objective of SSM is to detect and locate these transient X-ray sources. We discuss here in this paper, the spectral calibration of SSM along with on-board calibration plans using the X-ray flux from the Crab nebula. Spectral response for SSM is derived using a routine in ftools and the inputs for deriving the response are got from the results of the experiments done on the qualification model for SSM.     

Statistical study of EUV and X-ray transient brightenings

Using the visual inspection and base difference method and data from the X-ray Telescope(XRT)onboard Hinode and TRACE with improved spatial and temporal resolution,we selected 48 X-ray transient brightenings(XTBs)and 237 EUV transient brightenings(ETBs)to study the connection between these two types of transient brightenings(TBs).These ETBs and XTBs have smaller areas(8.42 Mm2 and 36.3 Mm2,respectively,on average)and shorter durations(9.0 rain and 6.9 min,respectively,on average)than previous studies.These XTBs show three types of morphological structure: point-like,single-loop and multiple-loop.We find only 20% of the ETBs have corresponding XTBs while the other 80% have no X-ray signatures at all.This is presumably due to the small amount of released energy,which is not enough to heat the plasma to coronal temperatures which produce X-ray emission rather than being due to the limitation of spatial resolution and temperature sensitivity of the X-ray instrument.These small ETBs may significantly contribute to the coronal heating.     

The eccentric-orbit binary model for the transient X-ray sources

Eccentric-orbit binary models for transient X-ray sources are investigated. In these models, a compact star is in an eccentric orbit around a more massive star. As the compact star accretes mass from the stellar wind of the massive star, the accretion rate becomes time-dependent. The accretion rate is determined by Bondi's accretion radius, which depends on both the relative velocity of the stellar wind to the compact star and the sound velocity through the stellar wind. With reasonable sets of the eccentricity, the semi-major axis, the stellar wind velocity and the sound velocity, we obtain the variations of the light curves compatible with observations for the transient X-ray sources. It is likely that many transient X-ray sources are explainable by eccentric-orbit binary models.