The evolution of Rapid Burster outbursts |
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| Authors: | R Guerriero D W Fox J Kommers W H G Lewin R Rutledge C B Moore E Morgan J Van Paradijs M Van der Klis L Bildsten T Dotani |
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| Institution: | MIT Center for Space Research, 77 Massachusetts Ave #37-627, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA; Department of Astronomy, Caltech MC 220-47, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Postbus 800, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35812, USA; Astronomical Institute 'Anton Pannekoek' and Center for High-Energy Physics, Kruislaan 403, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Sagamihara, Japan |
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| Abstract: | We describe the evolutionary progression of an outburst of the Rapid Burster. Four outbursts have been observed with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer between 1996 February and 1998 May, and our observations are consistent with a standard evolution over the course of each. An outburst can be divided into two distinct phases. Phase I is dominated by type I bursts, with a strong persistent emission component; it lasts for 15–20 d. Phase II is characterized by type II bursts, which occur in a variety of patterns. The light curves of time-averaged luminosity for the outbursts show some evidence for reflares, similar to those seen in soft X-ray transients. The average recurrence time for Rapid Burster outbursts during this period was 218 d, in contrast to an average ～180‐d recurrence period observed during 1976–1983. |
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| Keywords: | stars: individual: Rapid Burster stars: variables: other X-rays: bursts X-rays: stars |
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