An XMM–Newton observation of the neutron star X-ray transient 2S 1803−245 in quiescence

We observed the neutron star X-ray transient 2S 1803−245 in quiescence with the X-ray satellite XMM–Newton , but did not detect it. An analysis of the X-ray bursts observed during the 1998 outburst of 2S 1803−245 gives an upper limit to the distance of ≤7.3 kpc, leading to an upper limit on the quiescent 0.5–10 keV X-ray luminosity of  ≤2.8 × 10³² erg s⁻¹  (3σ). Since the expected orbital period of 2S 1803−245 is several hours, this limit is not much higher than those observed for the quiescent black hole transients with similar orbital periods.     

Relativistic ionized accretion disc models of MCG–6-30-15

We present BeppoSAX observations of Nova Velorum 1999 (V382 Vel), carried out in a broad X-ray band covering 0.1–300 keV only 15 d after the discovery and again after 6 months. The nova was detected at day 15 with the BeppoSAX instruments which measured a flux F _x≃1.8×10⁻¹¹ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ in the 0.1–10 keV range and a 2 σ upper limit F _x<6.7×10⁻¹² erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ in the 15–60 keV range. We attribute the emission to shocked nebular ejecta at a plasma temperature kT ≃6 keV . At six months no bright component emerged in the 15–60 keV range, but a bright central supersoft X-ray source appeared. The hot nebular component previously detected had cooled to a plasma temperature kT <1 keV . There was strong intrinsic absorption of the ejecta in the first observation and not in the second, because the column density of neutral hydrogen decreased from N (H)≃1.7×10²³ to N (H)≃10²¹ cm⁻² (close to the interstellar value). The unabsorbed X-ray flux also decreased from F _x=4.3×10⁻¹¹ to F _x≃10⁻¹² erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ .     

The 'off' state of GX 339–4

We report BeppoSAX and optical observations of the black hole candidate GX 339–4 during its X-ray 'off' state in 1999. The broad-band (0.8–50 keV) X-ray emission can be fitted by a single power law with spectral index, α ∼1.6. The observed luminosity is 6.6×10³³ erg s⁻¹ in the 0.5–10 keV band, which is at the higher end of the flux distribution of black hole soft X-ray transients in quiescence, comparable to that seen in GS 2023+338 and 4U 1630–47. An optical observation just before the BeppoSAX observation shows the source to be very faint at these wavelengths as well ( B =20.1, V =19.2). By comparing with previously reported 'off' and low states (LS), we conclude that the 'off' state is actually an extension of the LS, i.e. an LS at lower intensities. We propose that accretion models such as the advection-dominated accretion flows are able to explain the observed properties in such a state.     

RXTE observations of the low/hard state X-ray outburst of the new X-ray transient SWIFT J1753.5−0127

We present the results of the analysis of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ) observations of the new X-ray transient, SWIFT J1753.5−0127, during its outburst in 2005 July. The source was caught at the peak of the burst with a flux of 7.19e-09 erg s⁻¹cm⁻² in the 3–25 keV energy range and observed until it decreased by about a factor of 10. The photon index of the power-law component, which is dominant during the entire outburst, decreases from ∼1.76 to 1.6. However, towards the end of the observations the photon index is found to increase, indicating a softening of the spectra. The presence of an ultrasoft thermal component, during the bright phases of the burst, is clear from the fits to the data. The temperature associated with this thermal component is 0.4 keV. We believe that this thermal component could be due to the presence of an accretion disc. Assuming a distance of 8.5 kpc,   L _X/ L _Edd≃ 0.05  at the peak of the burst, for a black hole of mass  10 M_⊙  . The source is found to be locked in the low/hard state during the entire outburst and likely falls in the category of the X-ray transients that are observed in the low/hard state throughout the outburst. We discuss the physical scenario of the low/hard state outburst for this source.     

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.     

On the anomalous X-ray afterglows of GRB 970508 and 970828

Recently, BeppoSAX and ASCA have observed an unusual resurgence of soft X-ray emission during the afterglows of GRB 970508 and 970828, together with marginal evidence for the existence of Fe lines in both objects. We consider the implications of the existence of a torus of iron-rich material surrounding the sites of gamma-ray bursts, as would be expected in the supra-nova model; in particular, we show that the fireball will quickly hit this torus, and bring it to a temperature of ≈3×10⁷ K. Bremsstrahlung emission from the heated-up torus will cause a resurgence of the soft X-ray emission with all expected characteristics (flux level, duration and spectral hardening with time) identical to those observed during the re-burst. Also, thermal emission from the torus will account for the observed iron line flux. These events are also observable, for instance by new missions such as SWIFT , when beaming away from our line of sight makes us miss the main burst, as fast (soft) X-ray transients, with durations of ≈10³ s and fluences of ≈10⁻⁷–10⁻⁴ erg cm⁻². This model provides evidence in favour of the supra-nova model for gamma-ray bursts.     

The accretion powered spin-up of GRO J1750−27

The timing properties of the 4.45 s pulsar in the Be X-ray binary system GRO J1750−27 are examined using hard X-ray data from INTEGRAL and Swift during a type II outburst observed during 2008. The orbital parameters of the system are measured and agree well with those found during the last known outburst of the system in 1995. Correcting the effects of the Doppler shifting of the period, due to the orbital motion of the pulsar, leads to the detection of an intrinsic spin-up that is well described by a simple model including     and     terms of  −7.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ s s⁻¹  and  1 × 10⁻¹⁶ s s⁻²  , respectively. The model is then used to compare the time-resolved variation of the X-ray flux and intrinsic spin-up against the accretion torque model of Ghosh & Lamb; this finds that GRO J1750−27 is likely located 12–22 kpc distant and that the surface magnetic field of the neutron star is  ∼2 × 10¹²  G. The shape of the pulse and the pulsed fraction shows different behaviour above and below 20 keV, indicating that the observed pulsations are the convolution of many complex components.     

The ASCA spectrum of the z = 4.72 blazar GB 1428+4217

The X-ray-luminous quasar GB 1428+4217 at redshift 4.72 has been observed with ASCA . The observed 0.5–10 keV flux is 3.2 Å– 10⁻¹² erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. We report here on the intrinsic 4 − 57 keV X-ray spectrum, which is very flat (photon index 1.29). We find no evidence for flux variability within the ASCA data set or between it and ROSAT data. We show that the overall spectral energy distribution of GB 1428+4217 is similar to that of lower redshift MeV blazars, and present models that fit the available data. The Doppler beaming factor is likely to be at least 8. We speculate on the number density of such high-redshift blazars, which must contain rapidly formed massive black holes.     

Ultraluminous X-ray source populations in normal galaxies: a preliminary survey with Chandra

We present results of a Chandra survey of the ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULX) in 13 normal galaxies, in which we combine source detection with X-ray flux measurement. 22 ULX were detected, i.e. with   L _x > 1 × 10³⁹ erg s⁻¹ ( L ₁₀)  and 39 other sources were detected with   L _x > 5 × 10³⁸ erg s⁻¹ ( L ₅)  . We also use radial intensity profiles to remove extended sources from the sample. The majority of sources are not extended, which for a typical distance constrains the emission region size to less than 50 pc. X-ray colour–colour diagrams and spectral fitting results were examined for indicators of the ULX nature. In the case of the brighter sources, spectral fitting generally requires two-component models. In only a few cases do colour–colour diagrams or spectral fitting provide evidence of a black hole nature. We find no evidence of a correlation with stellar mass, however, there is a strong correlation with star formation as indicated by the 60-μm flux as found in previous studies.     

A Chandra X-ray observation of the globular cluster Terzan 1

We present a ∼19-ks Chandra Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS)-S observation of the globular cluster Terzan 1. 14 sources are detected within 1.4 arcmin of the cluster centre with two of these sources predicted to be not associated with the cluster (background active galactic nuclei or foreground objects). The neutron star X-ray transient, X1732−304, has previously been observed in outburst within this globular cluster with the outburst seen to last for at least 12 yr. Here, we find four sources that are consistent with the ROSAT position for this transient, but none of the sources are fully consistent with the position of a radio source detected with the Very Large Array that is likely associated with the transient. The most likely candidate for the quiescent counterpart of the transient has a relatively soft spectrum and an unabsorbed 0.5–10 keV luminosity of  2.6 × 10³² erg s⁻¹  , quite typical of other quiescent neutron stars. Assuming standard core cooling, from the quiescent flux of this source we predict long (>400 yr) quiescent episodes to allow the neutron star to cool. Alternatively, enhanced core cooling processes are needed to cool down the core. However, if we do not detect the quiescent counterpart of the transient this gives an unabsorbed 0.5–10 keV luminosity upper limit of  8 × 10³¹ erg s⁻¹  . We also discuss other X-ray sources within the globular cluster. From the estimated stellar encounter rate of this cluster we find that the number of sources we detect is significantly higher than expected by the relationship of Pooley et al.     

Deep hard X-ray source counts from a fluctuation analysis of ASCA SIS images

An analysis of the spatial fluctuations in 15 deep ASCA SIS0 images has been conducted in order to probe the 2–10 keV X-ray source counts down to a flux limit ∼ 2 × 10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. Special care has been taken in modelling the fluctuations in terms of the sensitivity maps of every one of the 16 regions (5.6 × 5.6 arcmin² each) into which the SIS0 has been divided, by means of ray-tracing simulations with improved optical constants in the X-ray telescope. The very extended 'sidelobes' (extending up to a couple of degrees) exhibited by these sensitivity maps make our analysis sensitive to both faint on-axis sources and brighter off-axis ones, the former being dominant. The source counts in the range (2−12) × 10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ are found to be close to a Euclidean form which extrapolates well to previous results from higher fluxes and are in reasonable agreement with some recent ASCA surveys. However, our results disagree with the deep survey counts by Georgantopoulos et al. The possibility that the source counts flatten to a sub-Euclidean form, as is observed at soft energies in ROSAT data, is only weakly constrained to happen at a flux < 1.8 × 10⁻¹² erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ (90 per cent confidence). Down to the sensitivity limit of our analysis, the integrated contribution of the sources the imprint of which is seen in the fluctuations amounts to ∼ 35 ± 13 per cent of the extragalactic 2–10 keV X-ray background.     

A ROSAT observation of the dipping, flaring and eclipsing polar MN Hya (RX J0929.1–2404)

We present the results of a 22.5 ks pointed ROSAT PSPC observation of the 3.4-h period eclipsing polar MN Hya (RX J0929.1−2404). The X-ray light curve exhibits a 'double-humped' shape, with a secondary minimum occuring at φ∼ 0.45, a morphology consistent with two-pole accretion. Strong aperiodic flaring activity, with flux enhancements of ∼ 6 × the quiescent level, is also observed. A pre-eclipse 'dip' occurs in the phase interval φ= 0.87–0.95 with the X-rays becoming harder, indicative of photoelectric absorption by the pre-shock flow. There is also evidence of a secondary spectrally hard 'dip' near φ = 0.45–0.55, which might be associated with a second accretion stream flowing to the other magnetic pole.   The X-ray spectrum is best represented by a combination of a ∼50 eV blackbody and a thermal bremsstrahlung component of kT 1.6 keV, with a total absorption column of N _H  = 2.9 × 10²⁰ cm⁻².   The primary maximum (φ∼ 0.65) has a slightly larger column and normalization compared to the secondary maximum. Although there are few photons, the dip spectrum is very flat in comparison to other phases, and is best represented by a single bremsstrahlung component. This is indicative of the spectral hardening seen in the light curves attributed to photoabsorption. The ratio of unabsorbed bremsstrahlung and blackbody luminosities is ∼ 0.1 for the best-fitting average spectral models. This implies a magnetic field strength  30 MG on the basis of the empirical L _hard/ L _soft −  B relationships, although consideration of the cyclotron flux and aspect effects could allow for an even higher field (55 MG).     

A survey of hard spectrum ROSAT sources – I. X-ray source catalogue

We present a catalogue of 147 serendipitous X-ray sources selected to have hard spectra ( α <0.5) from a survey of 188 ROSAT fields. Such sources must be the dominant contributors to the X-ray background at faint fluxes. We have used Monte Carlo simulations to verify that our technique is very efficient at selecting hard sources: the survey has 10 times as much effective area for hard sources as it has for soft sources above a 0.5–2 keV flux level of 10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. The distribution of best-fitting spectral slopes of the hard sources suggests that a typical ROSAT hard source in our survey has a spectral slope α ∼0. The hard sources have a steep number flux relation (d N /d S ∝ S ^{− γ} with a best-fitting value of γ =2.72±0.12) and make up about 15 per cent of all 0.5–2 keV sources with S >10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. If their N ( S ) continues to fainter fluxes, the hard sources will comprise ∼40 per cent of sources with 5×10⁻¹⁵< S <10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. The population of hard sources can therefore account for the harder average spectra of ROSAT sources with S <10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. They probably make a strong contribution to the X-ray background at faint fluxes and could be the solution to the X-ray background spectral paradox.     

XMM–Newton observations of the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1650–500 in quiescence

We report the result of an XMM–Newton observation of the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1650–500 in quiescence. The source was not detected, and we set upper limits on the 0.5–10 keV luminosity of  0.9–1.0 × 10³¹ erg s⁻¹  (for a newly derived distance of 2.6 kpc). These limits are in line with the quiescent luminosities of black hole X-ray binaries with similar orbital periods (∼7–8 h).     

Magnetic hydrogen atmosphere models and the neutron star RX J1856.5–3754

RX J1856.5−3754 is one of the brightest nearby isolated neutron stars (INSs), and considerable observational resources have been devoted to it. However, current models are unable to satisfactorily explain the data. We show that our latest models of a thin, magnetic, partially ionized hydrogen atmosphere on top of a condensed surface can fit the entire spectrum, from X-rays to optical, of RX J1856.5−3754, within the uncertainties. In our simplest model, the best-fitting parameters are an interstellar column density   N _H≈ 1 × 10²⁰ cm⁻²  and an emitting area with   R ^∞≈ 17 km  (assuming a distance to RX J1856.5−3754 of 140 pc), temperature   T ^∞≈ 4.3 × 10⁵ K  , gravitational redshift   z _g ∼ 0.22  , atmospheric hydrogen column   y _H≈ 1 g cm⁻²  , and magnetic field   B ≈ (3–4) × 10¹² G  ; the values for the temperature and magnetic field indicate an effective average over the surface. We also calculate a more realistic model, which accounts for magnetic field and temperature variations over the NS surface as well as general relativistic effects, to determine pulsations; we find that there exist viewing geometries that produce pulsations near the currently observed limits. The origin of the thin atmospheres required to fit the data is an important question, and we briefly discuss mechanisms for producing these atmospheres. Our model thus represents the most self-consistent picture to date for explaining all the observations of RX J1856.5−3754.     

The K-band luminosity function at z = 1: a powerful constraint on galaxy formation theory

We report the first detection of an inverse Compton X-ray emission, spatially correlated with a very steep spectrum radio source (VSSRS), 0038-096, without any detected optical counterpart, in cluster Abell 85. The ROSAT PSPC data and its multiscale wavelet analysis reveal a large-scale (linear diameter of the order of 500 h ⁻¹₅₀ kpc), diffuse X-ray component, in addition to the thermal bremsstrahlung, overlapping an equally large-scale VSSRS. The primeval 3 K background photons, scattering off the relativistic electrons, can produce the X-rays at the detected level. The inverse Compton flux is estimated to be (6.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹³ erg s⁻¹ cm⁻² in the 0.5–2.4 keV X-ray band. A new 327-MHz radio map is presented for the cluster field. The synchrotron emission flux is estimated to be (6.6 ± 0.90) × 10⁻¹⁴ erg s⁻¹ cm⁻² in the 10–100 MHz radio band. The positive detection of both radio and X-ray emission from a common ensemble of relativistic electrons leads to an estimate of (0.95 ± 0.10) × 10⁻⁶ G for the cluster-scale magnetic field strength. The estimated field is free of the 'equipartition' conjecture, the distance, and the emission volume. Further, the radiative fluxes and the estimated magnetic field imply the presence of 'relic' (radiative lifetime ≳ 10⁹ yr) relativistic electrons with Lorentz factors γ ≈ 700–1700; this would be a significant source of radio emission in the hitherto unexplored frequency range ν ≈ 2–10 MHz.     

X-ray and ultraviolet observations of the dwarf nova VW Hyi in quiescence

We present an analysis of X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) data of the dwarf nova VW Hyi that were obtained with XMM–Newton during the quiescent state. The X-ray spectrum indicates the presence of an optically thin plasma in the boundary layer that cools as it settles on to the white dwarf. The plasma has a continuous temperature distribution that is well described by a power law or a cooling flow model with a maximum temperature of 6–8 keV. We estimate from the X-ray spectrum a boundary layer luminosity of  8 × 10³⁰ erg s^-1  , which is only 20 per cent of the disc luminosity. The rate of accretion on to the white dwarf is  5 × 10⁻¹² M_⊙ yr⁻¹  , about half of the rate in the disc. From the high-resolution X-ray spectra, we estimate that the X-ray emitting part of the boundary layer is rotating with a velocity of 540 km s⁻¹, which is close to the rotation velocity of the white dwarf but is significantly smaller than the Keplerian velocity. We detect a 60-s quasi-periodic oscillation of the X-ray flux, which is likely to be due to the rotation of the boundary layer. The X-ray and the UV flux show strong variability on a time-scale of ∼1500 s. We find that the variability in the two bands is correlated and that the X-ray fluctuations are delayed by ∼100 s. The correlation indicates that the variable UV flux is emitted near the transition region between the disc and the boundary layer and that accretion rate fluctuations in this region are propagated to the X-ray emitting part of the boundary layer within ∼100 s. An orbital modulation of the X-ray flux suggests that the inner accretion disc is tilted with respect to the orbital plane. The elemental abundances in the boundary layer are close to their solar values.     

Effects of the stellar wind on X-ray spectra of Cygnus X-3

We study X-ray spectra of Cyg X-3 from BeppoSAX , taking into account absorption and emission in the strong stellar wind of its companion. We find the intrinsic X-ray spectra are well modelled by disc blackbody emission, its upscattering by hot electrons with a hybrid distribution, and by Compton reflection. These spectra are strongly modified by absorption and reprocessing in the stellar wind, which we model using the photoionization code cloudy . The form of the observed spectra implies the wind is composed of two phases. A hot tenuous plasma containing most of the wind mass is required to account for the observed features of very strongly ionized Fe. Small dense cool clumps filling ≲0.01 of the volume are required to absorb the soft X-ray excess, which is emitted by the hot phase but not present in the data. The total mass-loss rate is found to be  (0.6–1.6) × 10⁻⁵ M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . We also discuss the feasibility of the continuum model dominated by Compton reflection, which we find to best describe our data. The intrinsic luminosities of our models suggest that the compact object is a black hole.     

Stellar-mass black hole binaries as ultraluminous X-ray sources

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) with   L _x > 10³⁹ erg s⁻¹  have been discovered in great numbers in external galaxies with ROSAT , Chandra and XMM-Newton . The central question regarding this important class of sources is whether they represent an extension in the luminosity function of binary X-ray sources containing neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes (BHs), or a new class of objects, e.g. systems containing intermediate-mass BHs  (100–1000 M_⊙)  . We have carried out a theoretical study to test whether a large fraction of the ULXs, especially those in galaxies with recent star formation activity, can be explained with binary systems containing stellar-mass BHs. To this end, we have applied a unique set of binary evolution models for BH X-ray binaries, coupled to a binary population synthesis code, to model the ULXs observed in external galaxies. We find that for donor stars with initial masses  ≳10 M_⊙  the mass transfer driven by the normal nuclear evolution of the donor star is sufficient to potentially power most ULXs. This is the case during core hydrogen burning and, to an even more pronounced degree, while the donor star ascends the giant branch, although the latter phases last only ∼5 per cent of the main-sequence phase. We show that with only a modest violation of the Eddington limit, e.g. a factor of ∼10, both the numbers and properties of the majority of the ULXs can be reproduced. One of our conclusions is that if stellar-mass BH binaries account for a significant fraction of ULXs in star-forming galaxies, then the rate of formation of such systems is  ∼3 × 10⁻⁷ yr⁻¹  normalized to a core-collapse supernova rate of 0.01 yr⁻¹.     

Spectral variation in the X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 during a low-flux episode

The X-ray pulsar GX 1+4 was observed with the RXTE satellite for a total of 51 ks between 1996 July 19 and 21. During this period the flux decreased smoothly from an initial mean level of ≈6×10³⁶ erg s⁻¹ to a minimum of ≈4×10³⁵ erg s⁻¹ (2–60 keV, assuming a source distance of 10 kpc) before partially recovering towards the initial level at the end of the observation.
BATSE pulse timing measurements indicate that a torque reversal took place approximately 10 d after this observation. Both the mean pulse profile and the photon spectrum varied significantly. The observed variation in the source may provide important clues as to the mechanism of torque reversals.
The single best-fitting spectral model was based on a component originating from thermal photons with kT ₀≈1 keV Comptonized by a plasma of temperature kT ≈7 keV. Both the flux modulation with phase during the brightest interval and the evolution of the mean spectra over the course of the observation are consistent with variations in this model component; with, in addition, a doubling of the column density n _H contributing to the mean spectral change.
A strong flare of duration ≲50 s was observed during the interval of minimum flux, with the peak flux ≈20 times the mean level. Although beaming effects are likely to mask the true variation in M ˙ thought to give rise to the flare, the timing of a modest increase in flux prior to the flare is consistent with dual episodes of accretion resulting from successive orbits of a locally dense patch of matter in the accretion disc.