Simultaneous X-ray/optical observations of GX 9+9 (4U 1728−16)

We report on the results of the first simultaneous X-ray ( RXTE ) and optical [South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)] observations of the luminous low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) GX 9+9 in 1999 August. The high-speed optical photometry revealed an orbital period of 4.1958 h and confirmed previous observations, but with greater precision. No X-ray modulation was found at the orbital period. On shorter time-scales, a possible 1.4-h variability was found in the optical light curves which might be related to the MHz quasi-periodic oscillations seen in other LMXBs. We do not find any significant X-ray/optical correlation in the light curves. In X-rays, the colour–colour and hardness-intensity diagrams indicate that the source shows characteristics of an atoll source in the upper banana state, with a correlation between intensity and spectral hardness. Time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy suggests that two-component spectral models give a reasonable fit to the X-ray emission. Such models consist of a blackbody component which can be interpreted as the emission from an optically thick accretion disc or an optically thick boundary layer, and a hard Comptonized component for an extended corona.     

H i imaging of galaxies in X-ray bright groups

Environment plays an important role in the evolution of the gas contents of galaxies. Gas deficiency of cluster spirals and the role of the hot intracluster medium in stripping gas from these galaxies is a well-studied subject. Loose groups with diffuse X-ray emission from the intragroup medium (IGM) offer an intermediate environment between clusters and groups without a hot IGM. These X-ray bright groups have smaller velocity dispersion and lower temperature than clusters, but higher IGM density than loose groups without diffuse X-ray emission. A single-dish comparative study of loose groups with and without diffuse X-ray emission from the IGM, showed that the galaxies in X-ray bright groups have lost more gas on average than the galaxies in non X-ray bright groups. In this paper we present GMRT H  i observations of 13 galaxies from four X-ray bright groups: NGC 5044, 720, 1550 and IC1459. The aim of this work is to study the morphology of H  i in these galaxies and to see if the hot IGM has in any way affected their H  i content or distribution. In addition to disturbed H  i morphology, we find that most galaxies have shrunken H  i discs compared to the field spirals. This indicates that IGM-assisted stripping processes like ram pressure may have stripped gas from the outer edges of the galaxies.     

Kinematical studies of the low-mass X-ray binary GR Mus (XB 1254–690)

We present simultaneous high-resolution optical spectroscopy and X-ray data of the X-ray binary system GR Mus (XB 1254–690), obtained over a full range of orbital phases. The X-ray observations are used to re-establish the orbital ephemeris for this source. The optical data include the first spectroscopic detection of the donor star in this system through the use of the Doppler Tomography technique on the Bowen fluorescence blend (∼4630–4650 Å). In combination with an estimate for the orbital parameters of the compact object using the wings of the He  ii λ4686 emission line, dynamical mass constraints of  1.20 ≤ M _X /M_⊙≤ 2.64  for the neutron star and  0.45 ≤ M ₂/M_⊙≤ 0.85  for the companion are derived.     

H i content in galaxies in loose groups

Gas deficiency in cluster spirals is well known and ram-pressure stripping is considered the main gas removal mechanism. In some compact groups too gas deficiency is reported. However, gas deficiency in loose groups is not yet well established. Lower dispersion of the member velocities and the lower density of the intragroup medium in small loose groups favour tidal stripping as the main gas removal process in them. Recent releases of data from the H  i Parkes All-Sky Survey (HIPASS) and catalogues of nearby loose groups with associated diffuse X-ray emission have allowed us to test this notion. In this paper, we address the following questions: (i) do galaxies in groups with diffuse X-ray emission statistically have lower gas content compared to the ones in groups without diffuse X-ray emission? (ii) does H  i deficiency vary with the X-ray luminosity, L _X, of the loose group in a systematic way? We find that (i) galaxies in groups with diffuse X-ray emission, on average, are H  i deficient, and have lost more gas compared to those in groups without X-ray emission; the latter are found not to have significant H  i deficiency; (ii) no systematic dependence of the H  i deficiency with L _X is found. Ram-pressure-assisted tidal stripping and evaporation by thermal conduction are the two possible mechanisms to account for this excess gas loss.     

The supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J18483−0311 in quiescence: XMM–Newton, Swift and Chandra observations

IGR J18483−0311 was discovered with INTEGRAL in 2003 and later classified as a supergiant fast X-ray transient. It was observed in outburst many times, but its quiescent state is still poorly known. Here, we present the results of XMM–Newton , Swift and Chandra observations of IGR J18483−0311. These data improved the X-ray position of the source, and provided new information on the timing and spectral properties of IGR J18483−0311 in quiescence. We report the detection of pulsations in the quiescent X-ray emission of this source, and give for the first time a measurement of the spin-period derivative of this source. In IGR J18483−0311, the measured spin-period derivative of  −(1.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻⁹ s s⁻¹  likely results from light travel time effects in the binary. We compare the most recent observational results of IGR J18483−0311 and SAX J1818.6−1703, the two supergiant fast X-ray transients for which a similar orbital period has been measured.     

RXTE–PCA observations of XMMU J054134.7−682550

We analysed Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Proportional Counter Array observations of a recent outburst of the X-ray pulsar XMMU J054134.7−682550. We calculated the pulse frequency history of the source. We found no sign of a binary companion. The source spins up when the X-ray flux is higher, with a correlation between the spin-up rate and X-ray flux, which may be interpreted as a sign of an accretion disc. On the other hand, the source was found to have an almost constant spin frequency when the X-ray flux is lower without any clear sign of a spin-down episode. The decrease in pulsed fraction with decreasing X-ray flux was interpreted as a sign of accretion geometry change, but we did not find any evidence of a transition from accretor to propeller regimes. The source was found to have variable pulse profiles. Two peaks in pulse profiles were usually observed. We studied the X-ray spectral evolution of the source throughout the observation. Pulse-phase-resolved analysis does not provide any further evidence for a cyclotron line, but may suggest a slight variation of intensity and width of the 6.4 keV iron line with phase.     

2XMMi J225036.9+573154 – a new eclipsing AM Her binary discovered using XMM–Newton

We report the discovery of an eclipsing polar, 2XMMi J225036.9+573154, using XMM–Newton . It was discovered by searching the light curves in the 2XMMi catalogue for objects showing X-ray variability. Its X-ray light curve shows a total eclipse of the white dwarf by the secondary star every 174 min. An extended pre-eclipse absorption dip is observed in soft X-rays at  φ= 0.8–0.9  , with evidence for a further dip in the soft X-ray light curve at  φ∼ 0.4  . Further, X-rays are seen from all orbital phases (apart from the eclipse) which make it unusual amongst eclipsing polars. We have identified the optical counterpart, which is faint  ( r = 21)  , and shows a deep eclipse (>3.5 mag in white light). Its X-ray spectrum does not show a distinct soft X-ray component which is seen in many, but not all, polars. Its optical spectrum shows Hα in emission for a fraction of the orbital period.     

On the X-ray emission from massive star clusters and their evolving superbubbles – II. Detailed analytics and observational effects

In this work, we present a comprehensive X-ray picture of the interaction between a super star cluster and the interstellar medium. In order to do that, we compare and combine the X-ray emission from the superwind driven by the cluster with the emission from the wind-blown bubble. Detailed analytical models for the hydrodynamics and X-ray luminosity of fast polytropic superwinds are presented. The superwind X-ray luminosity models are an extension of the results obtained in Paper I. Here, the superwind polytropic character allows us to parametrize a wide variety of effects, for instance, radiative cooling. Additionally, X-ray properties that are valid for all bubble models taking thermal evaporation into account are derived. The final X-ray picture is obtained by calculating analytically the expected surface brightness and weighted temperature of each component. All of our X-ray models have an explicit dependence on metallicity and admit general emissivities as functions of the hydrodynamical variables. We consider a realistic X-ray emissivity that separates the contributions from hydrogen and metals. The paper ends with a comparison of the models with observational data.     

Cross-correlation of the unresolved X‐ray background with faint galaxies

At the faint end of the deepest X-ray surveys, a population of X-ray luminous galaxies is seen. In this paper, we present the results of a cross-correlation between the residual, unresolved X-ray photons in a very deep X-ray survey and the positions of faint galaxies, in order to examine the importance of these objects at even fainter flux levels. We measure a significant correlation on all angular scales up to ∼1 arcmin. This signal could account for a significant fraction of the unresolved X‐ray background, approximately 35 per cent if the clustering is similar to optically selected galaxies. However, the angular form of the correlation is seen to be qualitatively similar to that expected for clusters of galaxies and the X-ray emission could be associated with hot gas in clusters or with QSOs within galaxy clusters rather than emission from individual faint galaxies. The relative contribution from each of these possibilities cannot be determined with the current data.     

A ROSAT survey of Wolf–Rayet galaxies — II. The extended sample

We present results from an ongoing X-ray survey of Wolf–Rayet (WR) galaxies, a class of objects believed to be very young starbursts. This paper extends the first X-ray survey of WR galaxies by Stevens &38; Strickland by studying WR galaxies identified subsequent to the original WR galaxy catalogue of Conti.   Out of a sample of 40 new WR galaxies a total of 10 have been observed with the ROSAT PSPC, and of these seven have been detected (NGC 1365, NGC 1569, I Zw 18, NGC 3353, NGC 4449, NGC 5408 and a marginal detection of NGC 2366). Of these, all are dwarf starbursts except for NGC 1365, which is a barred spiral galaxy possibly with an active nucleus. We also report on observations of the related emission-line galaxy IRAS 0833+6517.   The X-ray properties of these galaxies are broadly in line with those found for the original sample; they are X-ray overluminous compared with their blue luminosity and have thermal spectra with typically kT  ∼ 0.4 − 1.0 keV. There are some oddities: NGC 5408 is very overluminous in X-rays, even compared with other WR galaxies; I Zw 18 has a harder X-ray spectrum; NGC 1365, although thought to contain an active nucleus, has X-ray properties that are broadly similar to other WR galaxies, and we suggest that the X-ray emission from NGC 1365 is due to starburst activity.   A good correlation between X-ray and blue luminosity is found for the WR galaxy sample as a whole. However, when just dwarf galaxies are considered there is little evidence of correlation. We discuss the implications of these results on our understanding of the X-ray emission from WR galaxies and suggest that the best explanation for the X-ray activity is starburst activity from a young starburst region.     

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.     

Short-term pulse frequency fluctuations of OAO 1657−415 from RXTE observations

We present new X-ray observations of the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXRB) pulsar OAO 1657−415, obtained during one orbital period (10.44 d) with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ). Using the binary orbital parameters, obtained from Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) observations, we resolve the fluctuations in the pulse frequency at time-scales on the order of 1 d for the first time. Recent BATSE results by Baykal showed that OAO 1657−415 has spin-up/down trends in its pulse frequency time series, without any correlation with the X-ray luminosity at energies >20 keV. In the present RXTE observations the source is found to be in an extended phase of spin-down. We also find a gradual increase in the X-ray luminosity which is correlated with a marginal spin-up episode. The marginal correlation between the gradual spin-up (or decrease in spin-down rate) and increase in X-ray luminosity suggests that OAO 1657−415 is observed during a stable accretion episode where the prograde accretion disc is formed.     

Physics of accretion in the millisecond pulsar XTE J1751 − 305

We have undertaken an extensive study of X-ray data from the accreting millisecond pulsar XTE J1751 − 305 observed by RXTE and XMM–Newton during its 2002 outburst. In all aspects this source is similar to the prototypical millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4 − 3658, except for the higher peak luminosity of 13 per cent of Eddington, and the optical depth of the hard X-ray source, which is larger by a factor ∼2. Its broad-band X-ray spectrum can be modelled by three components. We interpret the two soft components as thermal emission from a colder  ( kT ∼ 0.6 keV)  accretion disc and a hotter (∼1 keV) spot on the neutron star surface. We interpret the hard component as thermal Comptonization in plasma of temperature ∼40 keV and optical depth ∼1.5 in a slab geometry. The plasma is heated by the accretion shock as the material collimated by the magnetic field impacts on to the surface. The seed photons for Comptonization are provided by the hotspot, not by the disc. The Compton reflection is weak and the disc is probably truncated into an optically thin flow above the magnetospheric radius. Rotation of the emission region with the star creates an almost sinusoidal pulse profile with an rms amplitude of 3.3 per cent. The energy-dependent soft phase lags can be modelled by two pulsating components shifted in phase, which is naturally explained by a different character of emission of the optically thick spot and optically thin shock combined with the action of the Doppler boosting. The observed variability amplitude constrains the hotspot to lie within 3°–4° of the rotational pole. We estimate the inner radius of the optically thick accreting disc to be about 40 km. In that case, the absence of emission from the antipodal spot, which can be blocked by the accretion disc, gives the inclination of the system as ≳70°.     

XMM–Newton surveys of the Canada–France Redshift Survey Fields – III. The environments of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei at 0.4 < z < 0.6

The environmental properties of a sample of 31 hard X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) are investigated, from scales of 500 kpc down to 30 kpc, and are compared to a control sample of inactive galaxies. All the AGN lie in the redshift range  0.4 < z < 0.6  . The accretion luminosity density of the Universe peaks close to this redshift range, and the AGN in the sample have X-ray luminosities close to the knee in the hard X-ray luminosity function, making them representative of the population that dominated this important phase of energy conversion.
Using both the spatial clustering amplitude and near-neighbour counts, it is found that the AGN have environments that are indistinguishable from normal, inactive galaxies over the same redshift range and with similar optical properties. Typically, the environments are of subcluster richness, in contrast to similar studies of high- z quasars, which are often found in clusters with comparable richness to the Abell   R ≥ 0  clusters.
It is suggested that minor mergers with low-mass companions are a likely candidate for the mechanism by which these modest luminosity AGN are fuelled.     

X-ray emission from the galaxies in Abell 2634

It is difficult to detect X-ray emission associated with galaxies in rich clusters, because the X-ray images of the clusters are dominated by the emission from their hot intracluster media (ICM). Only the nearby Virgo cluster provides us with information about the X-ray properties of galaxies in clusters. Here we report on the analysis of a deep ROSAT HRI image of the moderately rich cluster Abell 2634, by which we have been able to detect the X-ray emission from the galaxies in the cluster. The ICM of Abell 2634 is an order of magnitude denser than that of the Virgo cluster, and so this analysis allows us to explore the X-ray properties of individual galaxies in the richest environment yet explored.
By stacking the X-ray images of the galaxies together, we show that the emission from the galaxies appears to be marginally resolved by the HRI. This extent is smaller than for galaxies in poorer environments, and is comparable to the size of the galaxies in optical light. These facts suggest that the detected X-ray emission originates from the stellar populations of the galaxies, rather than from extended hot interstellar media. Support for this hypothesis comes from placing the optical and X-ray luminosities of these galaxies in the L_B–L_X plane: the galaxies of Abell 2634 lie in the region of this plane where models indicate that all the X-ray emission can be explained by the usual population of X-ray binaries. It is therefore probable that ram pressure stripping has removed the hot gas component from these galaxies.     

An ultrasoft X-ray source (RX 215319−1514) and discovery of a narrow‐line Seyfert 1 galaxy

We present results on the identification of the optical counterpart of an ultrasoft X-ray source discovered with ROSAT . Two optical candidates – a galaxy and a star – are found within the error circle of the X-ray source position. Optical spectroscopy of the two candidates reveals that (a) the galaxy is a narrow-line Seyfert type 1 galaxy, and (b) the star is a late A-type or an early F-type. The F _x F _v ratio is too high for the star to be the counterpart of the X-ray source, but consistent with that for an active galaxy. Although higher-resolution X-ray imaging of the region is needed to definitely settle the question of the counterpart of the X-ray source, the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy is the best candidate. The spectral properties of the newly discovered narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy are also presented, including its extreme X-ray power-law spectral index of Γ≥4.     

Recalibration of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soft X-Ray Telescope</Emphasis> Onboard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yohkoh</Emphasis>

We present a new derivation of the X-ray spectral sensitivity of the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) experiment onboard Yohkoh. The recalibration is based upon the hypothesis that, during the first 15 months of the mission, an absorbing material gradually built up on the entrance filters of the telescope. We have also re-evaluated the times and sizes of ruptures of the SXT entrance filters. The impact of this recalibration on derived filter-ratio temperature, emission measure, and calculated spectral irradiance is substantial, especially for SXT data prior to November 1992.     

Optical spectroscopy of GX 339−4 during the high–soft and low–hard states – II. Line ionization and emission region

We have carried out observations of the X-ray transient GX 339−4 during its high–soft and low–hard X-ray spectral states. Our high-resolution spectroscopic observation in 1999 April suggests that the H α line has a single-peaked profile in the low–hard state as speculated in our previous paper. The He  ii λ 4686 line, however, has a double-peaked profile in both the high–soft and low–hard states. This suggests that the line-emission mechanism is different in the two states. Our interpretation is that double-peaked lines are emitted from a temperature-inversion layer on the accretion disc surface when it is irradiatively heated by soft X-rays. Single-peaked lines may be emitted from outflow/wind matter driven by hard X-ray heating. We have constructed a simple plane-parallel model and we use it to illustrate that a temperature-inversion layer can be formed at the disc surface under X-ray illumination. We also discuss the conditions required for the formation of temperature inversion and line emission. Based on the velocity separations measured for the double-peaked lines in the high–soft state, we propose that GX 339−4 is a low-inclination binary system. The orbital inclination is about 15° if the orbital period is 14.8 h.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulysses</Emphasis> Catalog of Solar Hard X-Ray Flares

Ulysses was launched in October 1990, and its Solar X-ray/Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Experiment (GRB) has provided more than 13 years of uninterrupted observations of solar X-ray flare activity. Due to the large variation of the relative solar latitude and longitude of the spacecraft orbit with respect to the Earth, the perspective of the GRB instrument often differed significantly from that of X-ray instruments on Earth-orbiting satellites. During extended periods the GRB experiment made direct observations of flares on the hidden face of the Sun, providing a unique record of events not visible to other instruments. The small detector area of GRB and its optimization for very high counting rates minimized the effects of pulse pile-up. We interpret the spectra, time histories, and occurrence distribution patterns of GRB data in terms of “thermal feed-through”, the confusion of thermal soft X-rays and non-thermal hard X-rays. This effect is a systematic problem for scintillation-counter spectrometers observing the solar hard X-ray spectrum. This paper provides a definitive catalog of the Ulysses X-ray flare observations and discusses various features of this unique database. For the equivalent GOES range X2 – X25, we find a power-law fit for the (differential) occurrence frequency at >25 keV with slope −1.61±0.04, with no evidence for a downturn at the highest event magnitudes (for the relatively small sample of such events available in this study). If the nine most intense events are excluded because of concerns about the effects of pulse pile-up, the slope steepens to −1.75±0.08.     

Exospheric models for the X-ray emission from single Wolf–Rayet stars

We review existing ROSAT detections of single Galactic Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars and develop wind models to interpret the X-ray emission. The ROSAT data, consisting of bandpass detections from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) and some pointed observations, exhibit no correlations of the WR X-ray luminosity ( L _X) with any star or wind parameters of interest (e.g. bolometric luminosity, mass-loss rate or wind kinetic energy), although the dispersion in the measurements is quite large. The lack of correlation between X-ray luminosity and wind parameters among the WR stars is unlike that of their progenitors, the O stars, which show trends with such parameters. In this paper we seek to (i) test by how much the X-ray properties of the WR stars differ from the O stars and (ii) place limits on the temperature T _X and filling factor f _X of the X-ray-emitting gas in the WR winds. Adopting empirically derived relationships for T _X and f _X from O-star winds, the predicted X-ray emission from WR stars is much smaller than observed with ROSAT . Abandoning the T _X relation from O stars, we maximize the cooling from a single-temperature hot gas to derive lower limits for the filling factors in WR winds. Although these filling factors are consistently found to be an order of magnitude greater than those for O stars, we find that the data are consistent (albeit the data are noisy) with a trend of in WR stars, as is also the case for O stars.