Abstract
view Abstract Citations (65) References (17) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The long-term intensity behavior of Centaurus X-3. Schreier, E. J. ; Swartz, K. ; Giacconi, R. ; Fabbiano, G. ; Morin, J. Abstract In three years of observation, the X-ray source Cen X-3 appears to alternate between 'high states', with an intensity of 150 counts/s (2-6 keV) or greater, and 'low states', where the source is barely detectable. The time scale of this behavior is of the order of months, and no apparent periodicity has been observed. Analysis of two transitions between these states is reported. During two weeks in July 1972, the source increased from about 20 counts/s to 150 counts/s. The detailed nature of this turn-on is interpreted in terms of a model in which the supergiant's stellar wind decreases in density. A second transition, a turnoff in February 1973, is similarly analyzed and found to be consistent with a simple decrease in accretion rate. The presence of absorption dips during transitions at orbital phases 0.4-0.5 as well as at phase 0.75 is discussed. The data are consistent with a stellar-wind accretion model and with different kinds of extended lows caused by increased wind density masking the X-ray emission or by decreased wind density lowering the accretion rate. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: March 1976 DOI: 10.1086/154200 Bibcode: 1976ApJ...204..539S Keywords: Eclipsing Binary Stars; Pulsars; Stellar Luminosity; Stellar Winds; X Ray Astronomy; Light Curve; Long Term Effects; Luminous Intensity; Mass Transfer; Stellar Models; Supergiant Stars; Uhuru Satellite; X Ray Stars; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3)
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