Energy spectrum and time variations of hard X-rays from Cyg X-1

Experimental results on the intensity, energy spectrum and time variations in hard X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 based on a balloon observation made on 1971, April 6 from Hyderabad (India) are described. The average energy spectrum of Cyg X-1 in the 22–154 keV interval on 1971 April 6 is best represented by a power law dN/dE=(5.41±1.53)E ^{–(1.92±0.10)} photons cm^–2s^–1 keV^–1 which is in very good agreement with the spectrum of Cyg X-1 derived from an earlier observation made by us on 1969 April 16 in the 25–151 keV band and given by dN/dE=(3.54±2.44)E ^{–(1.89±0.22)} photons cm^–2s^–1 keV^–1. A thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum fails to give a good fit over the entire energy range for both the observations. Comparison with the observations of other investigators shows that almost all balloon experiments consistently give a spectrum of E ^–2, while below 20 keV the spectrum varies fromE ^–1.7 toE ^–5. There is some indication of a break in the Cyg X-1 spectrum around 20 keV. Spectral analysis of data in different time intervals for the 1971 April 6 flight demonstrates that while the source intensity varies over time scales of a few minutes, there is no appreciable variation in the spectral slope. Analysis of various hard X-ray observations for long term variations shows that over a period of about a week the intensity of Cyg X-1 varies upto a factor of four. The binary model proposed by Dolan is examined and the difficulties in explaining the observed features of Cyg X-1 by this model are pointed out.     

Evidence for short term changes in the intensity and spectrum of hard X-rays from Cyg X-1

The paper presents experimental evidence for the existence of fast intensity fluctuations with time scales of the order of a minute in the X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 at energies greater than 29 keV. Spectral variations over time intervals of 20–25 min are also observed in the same energy range. Whereas, similar intensity and spectral fluctuations have been reported earlier at lower energies the observations presented here is the first evidence for the existence of similar fluctuations at high energies.     

A Study on the Long-term Spectral Variability of the Black-hole Candidate X-ray Binary Cyg X-1

Using the All-Sky Monitor (ASM, 1.5–12–kev) data of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) from January 1996 to May 2005, we have made a detailed analysis of the correlation between photon-count rate and spectral hardness ratio HR2 (5–12 keV/3–5 keV) of the black-hole candidate X-ray binary Cyg X-1 in 3 energy bands, namely the A-band (1.5–3 keV), B-band (3–5 keV) and Cband (5–12 keV). By the study on the ASM data of 1-day time scale, we find: (1) When Cyg X-1 is in the soft state, the A-band photon-count rate and hardness ratio HR2 exhibit an anticorrelation, but in B-band and C-band there appears the positive correlation. When Cyg X-1 is in hard state, the photon-count rates in the A,B,C bands are all inversely correlated with the hardness ratio HR2; (2) No matter whether Cyg X-1 is in the soft state or the hard state, the hardness ratios HR2 and HR1 are always positively correlated. In addition, we have analyzed the “dwell by dwell” data of the ASM, and obtained the following interesting results: (1) In the period of MJD = 52600–52760 (while Cyg X-1 is in the hard state), the photon-count rates in the A-band and B-band are inversely correlated with HR2, but in the C-band there appears a relatively strong positive correlation; (2) During the hard state, a clear anticorrelation exists between the hardness ratios HR2 and HR1.     

Very High Energy Emission from the Binary System Cyg X-3

Cyg X-3 is actively studied in the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum from the radio band to ultrahigh energies. Based on the detection of ultrahigh-energy gamma-ray emission, it has been suggested that Cyg X-3 could be one of the most powerful sources of charged cosmic-ray particles in the Galaxy. We present the results of long-term observations of the Cygnus Х-3 region at energies 800 GeV–100 TeV by the SHALON mirror Cherenkov telescope. In 1995 the SHALON observations revealed a new Galactic source of very high energy gamma-ray emission coincident in its coordinates with the microquasar Cyg X-3. To reliably identify the detected source with Cyg X-3, an analysis has been performed and an orbital period of 4.8 h has been found, which is a signature of Cyg X-3. A series of flares in Cyg X-3 at energies >800 GeV and their correlation with the activity in the X-ray and radio bands have been observed. The results obtained in a wide energy range for Cyg X-3, including those during the periods of relativistic jet events, are needed to find the connection and to understand the different components of an accreting binary system.     

Line features from Cygnus X-1 and the Crab nebula in the energy range 30–270 keV

A balloon-borne gemanium spectrometer was flown in an attempt to detect line-emission from Cyg X-1 and the Crab nebula in the energy range 30–270 keV. The experiment was carried out on 29–30 September, 1982. A line feature at 145 keV was observed from Cyg X-1. The intensity is (1.34±0.31)×10^–2 photons cm^–2 s^–1 and the width is 14.3 keV FWHM. From the Crab nebula, a weak line feature with 1.8 excess was found around 78 keV.     

High energy gamma-rays from cygnus X-3

Simultaneous observations by the ESA satellite COS-B show that the 2–12 keV X-rays and 150–5000 MeV gamma-rays of Cyg X-3 are negatively correlated. A clear gamma-ray image of Cyg X-3 can be obtained between June 1977 and June 1980, when the X-ray emission was low, to yield a flux of P(E > 100MeV) ~ 1 × 10⁻⁶cm⁻²s⁻¹.     

Interstellar absorption and variable soft X-ray component in Cygnus X-1

The hydrogen column density along the line of sight to Cyg X-1 is 7×10²¹ cm^–2 as determined from the extinction of its optical counterpart HD 226 868. This value may be used to interpret soft X-ray measurements, including those previously reported, where it is not possible to determine the column density independently from the intrinsic spectral function. The correction for interstellar absorption is larger than previously thought. Application to an old observation suggests that an intense soft X-ray component was present in Cyg X-1, even though the data at 1 keV suggests that it was probably in a low state. This is consistent with the picture of Cyg X-1 suggested by Price and Thorne, in which transitions in Cyg X-1 are attributed to changes in the high energy cut-off of an intense soft component.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X-and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.     

The additional radiation of Cyg X-1 at primary minimum

New UBV-photoelectric observations of the well-known massive X-ray binary system Cyg X-1/V 1357 Cyg are obtained near the primary minimum. The detailed analysis of these observations confirms the existence of additional blue radiation which appears as a narrow peak with an amplitude of 0.01–0.02 mag near phase 0.00 on the light curve (the superior conjunction of the relativistic component), firstly detected by Lyuty (1985). This emission does not appear at every orbital cycle. The appearance of this narrow peak of additional blue radiation on the light curve of Cyg X-1 can be explained as the radiation of relativistic electrons in the disturbed magnetic field of the optical star in frames of the model proposed by Ikhsanov and Fabrika (1990).     

Short-term variability of Cyg X-1

The short-term X-ray variability distinguishes Cyg X-1, which is the most likely candidate for a black hole, from other X-ray sources. The present status of our knowledge on this short-term variation, mainly from the UHURU, the MIT and the GSFC observations, is reviewed. The nature of impulsive variations which compose the time variation exceeding the statistical fluctuation is discussed. There are indications that the energy spectrum of large pulses is harder than the average spectrum, or that the large pulses are the characteristics of the hard component of the spectrum if it is composed of two, soft and hard, components. Features of the variations may be partly simulated by the superposition of random shot-noise pulses with a fraction of a second duration. However, the autocorrelation analysis and the dynamic spectrum analysis indicate that the correlation lasts for several seconds and in the variation are buried some regularities which exhibit power concentrations in several frequency bands; 0.2–0.3, 0.4–0.5, 0.8, 1.2–1.5 Hz. There are several possible interpretations of these results in terms of; e.g. (a) a mixture of shot-noise pulses with two or more constant durations, (b) the shape of the basic shot-noise pulse, (c) bunching of the pulses, (d) superposition of wave-packets or temporal oscillations. But we have not yet reached any definite understandings in the nature of the variabilities. The substructure of the fluctuations on a time scale of milliseconds suggested by two investigations is also discussed.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X- and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.     

The time lag of high-energy photons of Cyg X-1 in hard state

The time lag between hard and soft X-rays is an important aspect of the study of high-energy emission. Fourier cross spectrum, often used in calculating the time lag, is unable to measure statistically significant fast light variation above Fourier frequency 30 Hz from the measurements of Cyg X-1. The method of cross correlation function in time domain, developed by Li Ti-pei, can be effectively used in measuring time lags on different time scales. Using Li's method we discuss the properties of the time lag of high-energy photons of Cyg X-1 in hard state at different times. The results show that there is a significant time lap on short times scales (< 0.1 s). We confront different models of hard-state Cygnus X-1 with the observed time lag.     

Search for 12.6 millisecond periodicity in TeV gamma rays from Cygnus X-3

Cygnus X-3, an X-ray binary with an orbital period 4.8 hr was seen to be emitting γ-rays with the same period at TeV energies by several groups. In addition the Durham group (Chadwicket al. 1985) published their observations on the existence of a pulsar in the Cyg X-3 system, emitting TeV γ-rays with a periodicity of approximately 12.6 ms. We observed this object during 1986 October-November and did not detect any pulsed emission of TeV γ-rays in the range of periods from 12.5850 to 12.5967 ms.     

Comparison of UV spectra from solar-type stars

We compare high-resolution spectra from the Sun and the four solar-type stars 16 Cyg A, 16 Cyg B, HD 32008, HD 34411 obtained with IUE in the wavelength range 2650–2930 Å. The comparison is made for peak intensities between absorption lines. At the level of accuracy of the IUE observations, the stars 16 Cyg A, 16 Cyg B, HD 34411 are indistinguishable from the Sun, in particular the Mgii resonance line profiles are identical. HD 32008 is not a solar analog but is evidently of late G to early K spectral type.Based on observations with the International Ultraviolet Explorer collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.     

Balloon observations of Sco X-1 in the energy interval 17–106 keV

The paper presents the intensity and spectral nature of the X-ray emission from Sco X-1 in the energy interval 17–106 keV based on the observations made by a balloon borne scintillation telescope system flown on November 15, 1971 from Hyderabad, India. In the 25–53 keV interval, the spectral distribution is observed to correspond to akT value of keV assuming the shape to be exponential. Over the complete energy range of observation, a power law function with the value of exponent equal to 3.6±0.5 seems to yield an adequate fit. Comparing the present data with those obtained elsewhere, the temporal characteristics of the X-ray emission from Sco X-1 are discussed.     

Magnetic field estimation in Cyg X-3's jet

Multi-wavelength photometric observations of Cygnus X-3 were carried out at 18 cm through to 450 μm, complemented by X-ray (2–10 keV) observations. The system was mildly active with cm fluxes at 150–250 mJy. We find the spectrum to be flat with a spectral index of zero. Using a modified Wolf-Rayet wind model, and assuming emission is generated in synchrotron emitting jets from the source, we find an upper-limit to the magnetic field of 20 G at a distance 5×10¹² cm is required.     

Cyg X-1高态中短暴性质的研究

CygX-1高能辐射的时变特征可以通过短暴(shot)的性质反映．因此CygX-1的短暴性质，特别是处于低态时的性质曾被广泛研究,利用直接叠加短暴和自相关函数，对CygX-1高态时短暴的性质进行了研究．结果表明，当CygX-1处于高态时，其短暴的结构类似于低态时所具有的性质，短暴的半高宽随能量的增加按指数下降．此结果和康普顿化模型不一致．另外，短暴的能谱演化及结构的非对称性可以解释CygX-1中的时延现象．     

An unusual variable star: CH Cyg

Conclusions The existing observational data on CH Cyg agrees well with a model consisting of a semiregular M6 III giant and a white dwarf with a transient accretion disk formed at the time of the large maxima. The model can be tested by means of x-ray and speckle-interferometric observations.Institute of Astrophysics and Physics of the Atmosphere, Estonian Academy of Sciences. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 443–455. July–September, 1980.     

Properties of X-ray shots of Cyg X-1 in high state

Temporal variations in the high-energy radiation of Cyg X-1 can be represented by the properties of its X-ray short bursts (shots). The properties of the X-ray shots of Cyg X-1 have been studied extensively, especially for the Cyg X-1 in its typical low/hard state. In this paper, we study the shot properties when Cyg X-1 is in its high/soft state, using direct superposition of shots and the autocorrelation function. Our result shows that when Cyg X-1 is in the high state, the shot structure is qualitatively similar to that of the low state, and that the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the shot decreases with increasing energy, which is inconsistent with the prediction of the Comptonization model. In addition, the evolution of the shot energy spectrum and the asymmetry of the shot structure can explain the observed time lag in Cyg X-1.     

Exosat medium energy observations of Cyg X-2

We report on a series of observations of Cyg X-2 obtained with EXOSAT in September 1983 at five phases in a single orbital cycle (P=9.8 days, see Cowleyet al. 1979). Here we present spectral data obtained with the Argon counters of the Medium Energy experiment (ME) (see Turneret al. 1981), together with the search of Quasi Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) in high time resolution data.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Temporal X-ray astronomy with a pinhole camera

The first preliminary results from the Ariel-5 All-Sky X-Ray Monitor are presented, along with sufficient experiment details to define the experiment sensitivity. Periodic modulation of the X-ray emission is investigated from three sources with which specific periods have been associated, with the results that the 4.8 h variation from Cyg X-3 is confirmed, a long-term average 5.6 day variation from Cyg X-1 is discovered, and no detectable 0.787 day modulation of Sco X-1 is observed. Consistency of the long-term Sco X-1 emission with a shot-noise model is discussed, wherein the source behavior is shown to be interpretable as 100 flares per day, each with a duration of several hours. A sudden increase in the Cyg X-1 intensity by almost a factor of three on 22 April, 1975 is reported, after 5 months of relative source constancy. The light curve of a bright nova-like transient source in Triangulum is presented, and compared with previously observed transient sources. Preliminary evidence for the existence of X-ray bursts with duration <1 h is offered, with the caveat that there is not yet any supporting evidence to guarantee that the effect is truly astronomical.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X- and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.