天鹅座X-1硬X射线的能量谱

1985年9月22日,我们用空间硬X射线望远镜HAPI-2,在我国的高空气球上,对天鹅座X-1进行了观测,望远镜几何面积为140cm~2,观测能区20—200keV,空间定向精度±0.2°。获得的硬X射线能谱陡,总辐射能流LX～1.0×1~(37)erg/sec,低于常规态。本文将介绍望远镜的性能和观测过程,能谱分析的结果,并对当时天鹅座X-1可能的“态”进行讨论。     

Her X-1 35天开关周期是由于中子星的自由进动产生的吗?(英文)

一些作者提出Her X-1的35天开关周期是由中子星的自由进动引起的。对这个模型我们进行了理论计算,并将理论结果和观测资料进行了比较,我们发现: (1)Hcr X-1的35天周期的光变曲线的理论值与观测(Jones ＆ Forman,1976)不符。 (2)在这个模型中脉冲宽度和强度随35天周期有很大的变化(见图4和图5),也与观测不符(如Gruber等人1980年的观测)。 (3)Parmar等人(1985)报道他们没有发现预期的Her X-1的X射线辐射35天周期的变化,这也同中子星自由进动的模型不一致。 Pravdo等(1977)建议观测到的X射线脉冲是由产生于中子星表面附近的、对称的辐射束经汤姆逊散射而形成。我们用强磁场中的汤姆逊散射理论所作的分析表明,该模型可以较好地与观测相符。     

X射线暂现源Aql X-1的2个历元VLBI探探测

天鹰座X-1 (Aquila X-1, Aql X-1)是一个低质量中子星X射线双星,在X射线和射电波段表现为暂现源。对该源的甚长基线干涉(very long baseline interferometry, VLBⅠ)观测不仅为中子星X射线双星的射电-X射线(或喷流-吸积盘)相关性研究提供了观测依据,而且VLBⅠ亚毫角秒级的定位精度还有助于实现对该源的天体测量(包括位置、视差和自行)。由于Aql X-1常伴随着光球层膨胀(photospheric radius expansion, PRE)特征的Ⅰ型X射线暴(X-ray burst),因此,独立于物理模型的视差测量可以用来估算这类X射线暴的本征光度,并有助于对该类X射线暴的理论研究。Aql X-1已在2009年11月和2013年6月的2个历元的VLBⅠ观测中被探测到,这使得它在其他历元的VLBⅠ观测中的搜寻范围显著变小,并大大降低了其他历元的VLBⅠ观测的探测阈值。处理并分析了观测时间为2010年1月和2010年7月的两组VLBA (Very Long Baseline Array)的历史数据,并证认了Aql X-1的2个新的亚毫秒级精度的VLBⅠ探测,其置信度分别达到99.998 6%和99.998 4%。此外,2010年7月Aql X-1出现在其2010年1月位置的西南面,这与之前发布的Aql X-1的自行方向大体一致,意味着Aql X-1在2个历元间的位移主要来源于自行。最后发现,这2个VLBⅠ观测的历元正对于X射线的软硬态转换窗口,这符合之前对该源的射电-X射线的相关性研究结果。     

致密星的X射线辐射时延现象

能谱仅反映了高能天体辐射的部分性质，而高能X射线辐射的时变可以反映致密天体的动态性质。因此，在构造高能辐射的理论模型时，既要考虑X辐射的能谱性质，也要考虑其时变性质。特别对高能天体X辐射的快速光变，一般认为其发生在致密天体附近，致密天体快速光变的研究可以揭示出致密天体附近的物理性质，因此，时变可以对X辐射模型给以很强的限制。X射线源不同能量光子到达观测者的时间差称为X射线辐射的时延。介绍了高能X辐射时变中的时延分析方法及其最新发展，综述了致密双星系统中黑洞侯选林和中子星的时延现象，并简单介绍了为解释这些现象所发展的模型，以及时延对模型的限制。     

磁星的观测特性和理论模型

磁星(magnetar)是一类有着极强磁场的致密天体,它们的外部磁场强度是典型中子星磁场强度的100～1 000倍。在过去几十年中,软γ射线复现源(SGR)和反常X射线脉冲星(AXP)被认为是最有可能的磁星候选者。磁星有着独特的能谱性质和光变特征,它的观测现象丰富多彩,其观测波段跨越了射电、红外、光学、X射线和γ射线等。近些年来,多种理论模型也相继被提出来,以解释其独特的性质。以正常脉冲星为例,介绍了磁星与通常中子星的不同性质,详述了磁星在多波段的能谱、光变及周期跃变现象等观测特性,总结了为解释磁星的特殊性质而建立起来的多种理论模型,并详述了中子星框架下的扭曲磁层模型。此外还介绍了其他候选模型。     

GRS 1915+105的X射线能谱分析及黑洞自旋测量

GRS 1915+105是银河系内的低质量黑洞X射线双星,其能谱和黑洞自旋已经得到了广泛的研究.自2018年6月开始,其X射线流量下降到了低流量水平,其间偶尔会产生多波段的耀发.利用Insight-HXMT(Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope,简称为慧眼)卫星在2020年8月30日到2020年10月13日之间对GRS1915+105的观测数据,研究了其能谱特性,发现在此次爆发过程中, X射线能谱可以用一个康普顿化的多温黑体谱很好地拟合.整个爆发的硬度强度图(Hardness-Intensity Diagram, HID)一直处于软态.采用GRS1915+105的最新动力学参数M=12.4_-1.8^+2.0M⊙, i=60°±5°, D=8.6_-1.6^+2.0kpc (M、M⊙、i和D分别表示黑洞质量、太阳质量、盘倾角和距离),得到其无量纲黑洞自旋a*的一个下限a*> 0.9990,确认了GRS 1915+105是一个具有极端自旋的黑洞.考虑本地吸收体的...     

黑洞候选体X射线双星Cyg X-1硬度比周期特性研究

利用离散傅里叶分析法,基于RXTE (Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer)/ASM(All-Sky Monitor,1.5～12 keV)观测数据,对黑洞候选体X射线双星Cyg X-1硬度比HR(5～12 keV/3～5 keV)(简写HR)的时变特性进行了分析,结果表明黑洞候选体X射线双星Cyg X-1硬度比HR存在明显的周期特性:(1)混合态(硬态+软态,本文指MJD=50087～55841期间所有的观测数据)时,HR存在T≈5.6 d、40.0 d、78.4 d、173.8 d以及400/800 d的时变周期; (2)硬态时, HR存在T≈5.6 d、33.7/67.6 d、45.3 d和165.3 d的周期特性; (3)软态时,HR出现了T≈38.5 d、48.1 d和128.3 d的周期性变化.并利用粘滞理论和Zdziarski吸积盘模型讨论了以上周期特性的物理机制.     

Cyg X-3X光子场对γ射线的吸收效应

本文详细讨论了X射线双星Cyg X-3 的X光子场对γ射线的吸收效应.计算结果表明:当Cyg x-3 的X光子发射场处于高态时,从致密中子星附近发射的能量为10~2—10~4MeV的γ射线约有60％被其吸收,吸收过程产生的正负电子的逆Compton 散射会使出射能量10—70MeV的γ射线强度平均增加约50％.计算的γ射线能谱与实验观测结果基本相符.     

XTE J1550-564 2001年“迷你爆发”的X射线能谱研究

黑洞X射线暂现源的迷你爆发是一类峰值光度较低、持续时间较短的爆发.由于观测数据较少,其物理机制仍不清楚.利用RXTE (Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer)卫星从2001年1月28日到3月14日的数据,研究了黑洞X射线暂现源XTE J1550–564 2001年迷你爆发的X射线能谱特性.发现在本次迷你爆发中, XTE J1550–564的X射线能谱可以用幂律谱很好地拟合.整个爆发的硬度强度图不是标准的q型,而是一直保持在最右侧.此外,还分析了此次爆发谱指数Γ与未吸收的2–10 keV能段的X射线流量F_(2–10 keV)的相关性,发现Γ-F_(2–10 keV)呈反相关关系,且谱指数Γ∈[1.35, 1.72].上述结果表明2001年这次爆发一直处于低/硬态,它的X射线辐射主要来自于辐射低效的吸积模式,如ADAF(Advection-Dominated Accretion Flow).     

高气压式正比管探测效率的模拟计算

用于硬X射线的天文观测的充氙气高气压式正比计数管,对进入管中不同能量X射线的响应比较复杂,但能量响应(或探测效率)是归算天体观测能谱不可缺少的基本数据。本文对为气球观测用的一个具体正比管结合其实验数据给出了探测效率的模拟计算结果。     

Linking jet emission and X-ray properties in the peculiar neutron star X-ray binary Circinus X-1

We present the results of simultaneous X-ray and radio observations of the peculiar Z-type neutron star X-ray binary Cir X-1, observed with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite and the Australia Telescope Compact Array in 2000 October and 2002 December. We identify typical Z-source behaviour in the power density spectra as well as characteristic Z patterns drawn in an X-ray hardness–intensity diagram. Power spectra typical of bright atoll sources have also been identified at orbital phases after the periastron passage, while orbital phases before the periastron passage are characterized by power spectra that are typical neither of Z nor of atoll sources. We investigate the coupling between the X-ray and the radio properties, focusing on three orbital phases when an enhancement of the radio flux density has been detected, to test the link between the inflow (X-ray) and the outflow (radio jet) to/from the compact object. In two out of three cases, we associate the presence of the radio jet to a spectral transition in the X-rays, although the transition does not precede the radio flare, as detected in other Z sources. An analogous behaviour has recently been found in the black hole candidate GX 339-4. In the third case, the radio light curve shows a similar shape to the X-ray light curve. We discuss our results in the context of jet models, considering also black hole candidates.     

Autoregressive Spectral Estimation for Quasi-Periodic Oscillations

Modern methods of spectral estimation based on parametric time-series models are useful tools in power spectral analysis. We apply the autoregressive (AR) model to study quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). An empirical formula to estimate the expectation and standard deviation of the noise AR power densities is derived, which can be used to estimate the statistical significance of an apparent QPO peak in an AR spectrum. An iterative adding-noise algorithm in AR spectral analysis is proposed and applied to studying QPOs in the X-ray binary Cir X-1.     

The physical nature of the short-period RS CVn system DV Psc

We re-examine the correlation between the frequencies of upper and lower kHz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) in bright neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. By including the kHz QPO frequencies of the X-ray binary Cir X-1 and two accreting millisecond pulsars in our sample, we show that the full sample does not support the class of theoretical models based on a single resonance, while models based on relativistic precession or Alfvén waves describe the data better. Moreover, we show that the fact that all sources follow roughly the same correlation over a finite frequency range creates a correlation between the linear parameters of the fits to any subsample.     

Evolution of massive close binaries

X-ray binaries such as Cen X-3, Cyg X-1, Vela X-1, 2U1700-37, SMC X-1, Cir X-1, with periods ranging from 2^d.087 to 12^d.28, are probably evolution products of massive binary systems. The massive primary starts losing mass after core hydrogen burning and undergoes a supernova explosion. The evolution of binary systems consisting of a 20M⊙ primary and secondaries of respectively 14, 10, 8 and 6M⊙ was computed from Main Sequence stage through the X-ray phase, until the second mass transfer phase. Estimates were performed for the evolution of a secondary of 4M⊙. It may be seen that some of these systems during their X-ray phase match the observed mass ratios and periods.     

A complete relativistic ionized accretion disc in Cygnus X-1

The galactic black hole candidate Cygnus X-1 is observed to be in one of two X-ray spectral states: either the low/hard (low soft X-ray flux and a flat power-law tail) or high/soft (high blackbody-like soft X-ray flux and a steep power-law tail) state. The physical origin of these two states is unclear. We present here a model of an ionized accretion disc, the spectrum of which is blurred by relativistic effects, and fit it to the ASCA , Ginga and EXOSAT data of Cygnus X-1 in both spectral states. We confirm that relativistic blurring provides a much better fit to the low/hard state data and, contrary to some previous results, find the data of both states to be consistent with an ionized thin accretion disc with a reflected fraction of unity extending to the innermost stable circular orbit around the black hole. Our model is an alternative to those that, in the low/hard state, require the accretion disc to be truncated at a few tens of Schwarzschild radii, within which there is a Thomson-thin, hot accretion flow. We suggest a mechanism that may cause the changes in spectral state.     

Circinus X-1: survivor of a highly asymmetric supernova

We have analysed the kinematical parameters of Cir X-1 to constrain the nature of its companion star, the eccentricity of the binary and the pre-supernova parameter space. We argue that the companion is most likely to be a low-mass (≲2.0 M_⊙) unevolved star and that the eccentricity of the orbit is 0.94±0.04. We have evaluated the dynamical effects of the supernova explosion and we find it must have been asymmetric. On average , we find that a kick of ∼740 km s⁻¹ is needed to account for the recently measured radial velocity of +430 km s⁻¹ (Johnston, Fender & Wu) for this extreme system. The corresponding minimum kick velocity is ∼500 km s⁻¹. This is the largest kick needed to explain the motion of any observed binary system. If Cir X-1 is associated with the supernova remnant G321.9-0.3 then we find a limiting minimum age of this remnant of ∼60 000 yr. Furthermore, we predict that the companion star has lost ∼10 per cent of its mass as a result of stripping and ablation from the impact of the supernova shell shortly after the explosion.     

Superorbital period variations in the X-ray pulsar LMC X-4

We report the discovery of a decay in the superorbital period of the binary X-ray pulsar LMC X-4. Combining archival data and published long term X-ray light curves, we have found a decay in the third period in this system (P ∼ 30.3 day, P ∼ −2 × 10⁻⁵ s s⁻¹). Along with this result, a comparison of the superorbital intensity variations in LMC X-4, Her X-1 and SMC X-1 is also presented.     

High-resolution optical and infrared spectroscopic observations of Cir X-1

We present new optical and infrared (IR) observations of Cir X-1 taken near apastron. Both sets of spectra show asymmetric emission lines. Archival optical observations show that an asymmetric H α emission line has been in evidence for the past 20 years, although the shape of the line has changed significantly. We present an eccentric ( e ∼0.7–0.9) low-mass binary model, where the system consists of a neutron star orbiting around a (sub)giant companion star of 3–5 M_⊙. We suggest that the broad components of the emission lines arise in a high-velocity, optically thick flow near the neutron star, while the narrow components of the optical and the IR lines arise near the companion star and a heated ejecta shell surrounding the binary respectively. In this model, the velocity of the narrow component reflects the space velocity of the binary; the implied radial velocity (+430 km s⁻¹ after correcting for Galactic rotation) is the highest velocity known for an X-ray binary.     

X-ray spectral evolution of low-mass X-ray binary GX 349+2

We present the results of a systematic investigation of spectral evolution in the Z source GX 349+2, using data obtained during 1998 with the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) on-board the RXTE satellite. The source traced a extended normal branch (NB) and flaring branch (FB) in the colour–colour diagram (CD) and the hardness-intensity diagram (HID) during these observations. The spectra at different positions of the Z-track were best fitted by a model consisting of a disc blackbody and a Comptonized spectrum. A broad (Gaussian) iron line at ∼6.7 keV is also required to improve the fit. The spectral parameters showed a systematic and significant variation with the position along the Z-track. The evolution in spectral parameters is discussed in view of the increasing mass accretion rate scenario, proposed to explain the motion of Z sources in the CD and the HID.     

Time variations of hard X-rays from Sco X-1

Simultaneous hard X-ray and optical observations of Sco X-1 were carried out on 1971 May 1 at Hyderabad, India, when Sco X-1 was optically bright. The X-ray intensity observed by balloon-borne counter telescopes increased in coincidence with optical enhancements, while the plasma temperature derived by fitting the X-ray spectrum in the energy range 20–40 keV to the thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum did not appreciably change over the whole period of observation.