Simultaneous hard X-ray and optical observations of Sco X-1 and a model of semi-opaque X-ray sources

Simultaneous observations of hard X-ray and optical emission from Sco X-1 were carried out at Hyderabad, India, on April 16 and 19, 1972. During the first and the second observations Sco X-1 was on the average in a bright phase ofB=12.5 mag. and a slightly darker phase ofB=12.7 mag. respectively. During the first observation the X-ray intensity in the energy range 20–40 keV measured with balloon borne scintillation counters showed an enhancement of a factor of about two in coincidence with an optical flare ofB0.2 mag., whereas the apparent temperature derived from the X-ray spectrum observed in the energy range 20–35 keV showed no appreciable change. Both the X-ray intensity and the apparent temperature observed on April 19 are considerably lower than those observed on April 16. Taking into account the effect of radiative transfer in a hot plasma, the electron density and the optical depth for electron scattering of the plasma cloud are derived asn _e 3×10¹⁶ cm^–3 and _es 10 for the quiescent bright phase. The flare is explained by an increase of the plasma mass by about 30% and an increase of _es by _es 1 without appreciable change of the plasma temperature. The results on April 19 is interpreted as indicating that the quiescent dark phase may be characterized by a decrease of the plasma mass, its contraction and lower temperature.