UBV photometry of X-ray system with M2 III type red giant V934 her (4U 1700+24)

V934 Her is a detached system, consisting of a cool giant and a neutron star. The neutron star accretes matter fromthe stellarwind of the giant.Multicolor photoelectric observationsmade in 1997–2011 revealed a 415-day period, close to that, discovered spectroscopically from radial velocities. This period is considered to be the orbital period of orbital motion of the neutron star around the red giant. The wave with this period in the U-band has the largest amplitude 0^m.12. We also detected multiperiodic pulsations of the red giant. The light curve in the V -band is dominated by a pulsation wave with the period of 28.82 days and the amplitude of 0^m.10.     

Rocket X-ray observations of 4U 0115+63

We present in this paper the results from a X-ray astronomy payload flown aboard a Centaur rocket on 30 July, 1977 from TERLS, Thumba. The rocket attained an apogee of 150 km and the experiment performed satisfactorily providing about 200 s of data above 105 km. A source at the position of recurrent transient 4U 0115+63 has been detected. Details of this source and other results are presented in this paper.     

The solution of the X-ray heating light curve for 4U2129+47/V1727 Cyg

The X-ray heating light curve of the binary X-ray source 4U2129+47/V1727 Cgy is synthesized. A reliable solution is obtained only after accounting for the influence of an accretion disk. Model parameters achieved by the best fit are discussed. The solution is also discussed in the context of an extended OFF state.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.     

The hard X-ray transient 4U 0115+63 in quiescence

We review the properties of the hard transient 4U 0115+63 in outburst as well as during quiescence. 4U 0115+63 is one of the few sources in which a sharp decrease of the X-ray flux at the end of an outburst has been observed, testifying to the action of the centrifugal barrier. Here we discuss explicitly the available upper limit on the X-ray luminosity during the quiescent phase to suggest that 4U 0115+63 is likely in the propeller regime.     

kHz quasi-periodic oscillations in the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 0614+09

We report on a comprehensive analysis of the kilohertz (≥300 Hz) quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) detected from the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 0614+09 with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. With a much larger data set than previously analysed (all archival data from 1996 February up to 2007 October), we first investigate the reality of the 1330 Hz QPO reported by van-Straaten et al. This QPO would be of particular interest since it has the highest frequency reported for any source. A thorough analysis of the same observation fails to confirm the detection. On the other hand, over our extended data set, the highest QPO frequency we measure for the upper kHz QPO is at ∼1224 Hz; a value which is fully consistent with the maximum values observed in similar systems. Secondly, we demonstrate that the frequency dependence of the quality factor  ( Q =ν/Δν)  and amplitude of the lower and upper kHz QPOs follow the systematic trends seen in similar systems. In particular, 4U 0614+09 shows a drop of the quality factor of the lower kHz QPO above ∼700 Hz. If this is due to an approach to the innermost stable circular orbit, it implies a neutron star mass of  ∼1.9 M_⊙  . Finally, when analysing the data over fixed durations, we have found a gap in the frequency distribution of the upper QPO, associated with a local minimum of its amplitude. A similar gap is not present in the distribution of the lower QPO frequencies, suggesting some cautions when interpreting frequency ratio distributions, based on the occurrence of the lower QPO only.     

Hard X-ray emission cutoff in the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61 detected by INTEGRAL

The anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61 has been studied with observations from INTEGRAL. The hard X-ray spectrum in the range 18–500 keV for4U 0142+61 was derived using nearly nine years of INTEGRAL/IBIS data. We obtained the average hard X-ray spectrum of 4U 0142+61 with all available data. The spectrum of 4U 0142+61 can be fitted with a power law that includes an exponential high energy cutoff. This average spectrum is well fitted by a power law withΓ～ 0.51 ± 0.11 plus a cutoff energy at 128.6 ± 17.2 keV. The hard X-ray flux of the source from 20–150 keV showed no significant variations(within 20%) from 2003–2011. The spectral profiles have some variability over the nine years such that the photon index varies from 0.3–1.5 and the cutoff energies from 110–250 keV. The detection of the high energy cutoff around 130 keV shows some constraints on the radiation mechanisms of magnetars and possibly probes the differences between magnetar and accretion models for this special class of neutron stars. Future HXMT observations could provide stronger constraints on the hard X-ray spectral properties of this source and other magnetar candidates.     

The symbiotic system AG Draconis: Soft X-ray bremsstrahlung from the nebulae

The modeling of UV and optical spectra emitted from the symbiotic system AG Dra, adopting collision of the winds, predicts soft X-ray bremsstrahlung from nebulae downstream of the reverse shock with velocities > 150 km s^?1 and intensities comparable to those of the WD black body flux. At outbursts, the envelop of debris, which corresponds to the nebula downstream of the high velocity shocks (700–1000 km s^?1) accompanying the blast wave, absorbs the black body soft X-ray flux from the WD, explains the broad component of the H and He lines, and leads to low optical-UV–X-ray continuum fluxes. The high optical-UV flux observed at the outbursts is explained by bremsstrahlung downstream of the reverse shock between the stars. The depletion of C, N, O, and Mg relative to H indicates that they are trapped into dust grains and/or into diatomic molecules, suggesting that the collision of the wind from the WD with the dusty shells, ejected from the RG with a ～1 year periodicity, leads to the U-band fluctuations during the major bursts.     

Accretion magnetar in the close binary system 4U 2206+54

The magneto-rotational evolution of a neutron star in the massive binary system 4U 2206+54 is discussed in light of the recent discovery of its 5555 s rotational period and its average rate of spin-down. We show that this behavior of the neutron star means that its magnetic field exceeds the quantum mechanical critical limit and it is an accretion magnetar. The system’s evolution is explained by wind driven mass transfer without formation of an accretion disk. The constant character of the x-ray source indicates a steady rate of accretion and raises anew the question of the stability of the boundary of the magnetosphere of a star undergoing spherical accretion. A solution to this problem is also a key to determining the mechanism for the slowing down of the star’s rotation.     

Observations of the X-ray binaries 4U 1700-37 and GRO J1655-40 during the Grif experiment onboard the mir orbiting station

Various areas of the sky, including the Galactic-center region and the region with the X-ray binaries 4U 1700-37 and GRO J1655-40, were observed in the hard (10–300 keV) energy range during the Grif experiment onboard the Mir orbiting station. An epoch-folding analysis of the data has revealed periodicities with periods of 82 and 62 h, which are equal to the orbital periods of 4U 1700-37 and GRO J1655-40. Previously, these periodicities were observed during the Prognoz-9 X-ray experiment. Periodicities with periods in the range of days, 98 and 152 h, which were also observed during the Prognoz-9 experiment, were not revealed by the Grif data. We obtained upper limits on the intensities of these periodicities in various energy ranges. For the 62-h periodicity, we constructed an average 25–50-keV light curve and estimated the spectral flux density, which characterizes the intensity of the periodic component at different energies in different observing intervals during 1995–1997. The Prognoz-9 and Grif observations of GRO J1655-40 are compared with its CGRO, RXTE, and BeppoSax observations. The orbital periodicity is shown to manifest itself in the hard emission from the extremely bright X-ray transient GRO J1655-40, a likely black-hole candidate, even at the epochs between its X-ray outbursts.     

Luminosity dependent study of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 0114 + 65 with ASCA

Here we report the spectral characteristics of the high and low states of the pulsar 4U 0114 + 65 and examine the change in the parameters of the spectral model. A power law and a photoelectric absorption by material along the line of sight together with a high energy cut-off suffice to describe the continuum spectrum in both the states. A fluorescence iron line at ∼6.4 keV is present in the high as well as in the low state, though it is less intense in the latter. The photon index, cut-off energy and e-folding energy values hardly show any discernible change over the states. We compare these spectral characteristics as observed with ASCA with those of other satellites. We also compare the spectral characteristics of 4U 0114 + 650 with other X-ray sources which show intensity variation at different time scales.     

Evidence of a change in the long-term spin-down rate of the X-ray pulsar 4U 1907+09

We analysed RXTE archival observations of 4U 1907+09 between 1996 February 17 and 2002 March 6. The pulse timing analysis showed that the source stayed at almost constant period around 1998 August and then started to spin-down at a rate of  (−1.887 ∓ 0.042) × 10⁻¹⁴ Hz s⁻¹  which is ∼0.60 times lower than the long-term (∼15 yr) spin-down rate. Our pulse-frequency measurements for the first time resolved significant spin-down rate variations since the discovery of the source. We also presented orbital phase resolved X-ray spectra during two stable spin-down episodes during 1996 November–1997 December and 2001 March–2002 March. The source has been known to have two orbitally locked flares. We found that X-ray flux and spectral parameters except hydrogen column density agreed with each other during the flares. We interpreted the similar values of X-ray fluxes as an indication of the fact that the source accretes not only via transient retrograde accretion disc but also via the stellar wind of the companion, so that the variation of the accretion rate from the disc does not cause significant variation in the observed X-ray flux. Lack of significant change in spectral parameters except hydrogen column density was interpreted as a sign of the fact that the change in the spin-down rate of the source was not accompanied by a significant variation in the accretion geometry.     

X-ray observations of 4 Draconis: symbiotic binary or cataclysmic triple?

We present the first X-ray observations of the 4 Draconis system, consisting of an M3 III giant with a hot ultraviolet companion. It has been claimed that the companion is itself an AM Her-type binary system, an identification that places strong constraints on the evolution of cataclysmic variables. We find that the X-ray properties of 4 Draconis are consistent with the presence of an accreting white dwarf, but not consistent with the presence of an AM Her system. We conclude that 4 Draconis is therefore most likely a symbiotic binary containing a white dwarf accreting material from the wind of the red giant.
The X-ray spectrum of 4 Draconis is sometimes dominated by partially ionized photoelectric absorption, presumably due to the wind of the red giant. We note that X-ray monitoring of such systems would provide a powerful probe of the wind and mass-loss rate of the giant, and would allow a detailed test of wind accretion models.     

X Persei and the X-ray source 3U 0352 +30

From our spectrophotometric gradiant measurements of X Per we determined its interstellar visual total absorption to be A_ν = 1^m.50 0^m.30. Comparing this with the hydrogen column density N_H given by the X-ray observations of 3U0352+30 (using an empirical formula connecting A_ν and N_H), the two objects are found to be at the same distance from us. This finding supports the view that X Per is the optical counterpart of 3U0352+30.That there is a known mechanical connection between X Per and ADS2859B can be regarded as evidence for a supernova explosion origin of 3U0352+30. A similar case may be cited in support: at a distance of 9″ from Cyg X-1, there is also an M star that is 6 mag fainter than HD226868 (the optical counterpart of Cyg X-1), the two possibly forming a widely separated binary system.     

A very rare triple-peaked type-I X-ray burst in the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636−53

We have discovered a triple-peaked X-ray burst from the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 4U 1636−53 with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ). This is the first triple-peaked burst reported from any LMXB using RXTE , and it is only the second burst of this kind observed from any source. (The previous one was also from 4U 1636−53, and was observed with EXOSAT .) From fits to time-resolved spectra, we find that this is not a radius-expansion burst, and the same triple-peaked pattern seen in the X-ray light curve is also present in the bolometric light curve of the burst. Similar to what was previously observed in double-peaked bursts from this source, the radius of the emitting area increases steadily during the burst, with short periods in between during which the radius remains more or less constant. The temperature first increases steeply, and then decreases across the burst also showing three peaks. The first and last peak in the temperature profile occur, respectively, significantly before and after the first and last peaks in the X-ray and bolometric light curves. We found no significant oscillations during this burst. This triple-peaked burst, as well as the one observed with EXOSAT and the double-peak bursts in this source, all took place when 4U 1636−53 occupied a relatively narrow region in the colour–colour diagram, corresponding to a relatively high (inferred) mass-accretion rate. No model presently available is able to explain the multiple-peaked bursts.     

ART-P/Granat observations of the X-ray pulsar 4U0115+634 during the outburst in February 1990

Observations of the transient X-ray pulsar 4U0115+634 with the ART-P telescope aboard the Granat Observatory during the outburst in February 1990 are presented. The source exhibited a strong, regular and irregular variability, including X-ray bursts of duration 300–500 s. Two absorption features were detected in the source's photon spectrum at ～12 and ～22 keV, which were interpreted as the lines of resonance scattering of its emission at the first and second cyclotron harmonics. The magnetic-field strength B on the neutron-star surface that corresponds to these lines is ～1.3 × 10¹² G. The ratio of the line energies slightly differs from the harmonic ratio 1: 2. Moreover, this ratio and the line energies themselves vary appreciably with phase on a time scale of one pulsation period. The dependence of other spectral parameters for 4U0115+634 on pulse phase is investigated.     

Observations of pulsating X-ray binaries 4U0900-40 and 4U1223-62

A rocket observation of two pulsating X-ray binaries, 4U0900-40 and 4U1223-62, found no evidence for periodic or quasiperiodic behavior on time scales down to 2 ms. Evidence for complex high-energy spectral features and intrapulse variability is presented for 4U0900-40.     

Tenma observation of the X-ray pulsar 4U1626-67

Energy-dependent pulse profiles from the X-ray pulsar 4U1626-67, observed with Tenma in May 1983, were studied using an anisotropic radiation transfer model in an accretion column on a strongly magnetized neutron star. The result indicates that the strength of the magnetic field is about 8×10¹² G at the surface of the neutron star.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

大质量X射线双星脉冲星4U 1901+03的脉冲轮廓研究

大质量X射线双星脉冲星4U 1901 03在沉寂30多年后,于2003年1月爆发.利用罗西X射线时变探索者卫星RXTE为期5个月的观测数据,对其脉冲轮廓进行了系统研究,得到了该源的脉冲轮廓演化以及能量相关性,脉冲比例演化和脉冲比例对能量的依赖关系.研究发现,4U 1901 03的脉冲轮廓和脉冲比例随双星系统的吸积率变化呈现阶段性的演化,脉冲比例在十几keV处达到峰值.这些脉冲轮廓的复杂变化表明,脉冲轮廓不能用单一的几何或物理模型解释,而是与观测角度以及X射线源的辐射机制相关.利用标准的脉冲星辐射模型讨论了4U 1901 03脉冲轮廓的观测现象.