Detailed X-ray Observations Research Articles

Discovery of extraordinary X-ray emission from magnetospheric interaction in the unique binary stellar system ϵ Lupi

ABSTRACT We report detailed X-ray observations of the unique binary system ϵ Lupi, the only known short-period binary consisting of two magnetic early-type stars. The components have comparably strong, but anti-aligned magnetic fields. The orbital and magnetic properties of the system imply that the magnetospheres overlap at all orbital phases, suggesting the possibility of variable inter-star magnetospheric interaction due to the non-negligible eccentricity of the orbit. To investigate this effect, we observed the X-ray emission from ϵ Lupi, both near and away from periastron passage, using the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer mission (NICER) X-ray Telescope. We find that the system produces excess X-ray emission at the periastron phase, suggesting the presence of variable inter-star magnetospheric interaction. We also discover that the enhancement at periastron is confined to a very narrow orbital phase range ($\approx 5~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the orbital period), but the X-ray properties close to periastron phase are similar to those observed away from periastron. From these observations, we infer that the underlying cause is magnetic reconnection heating the stellar wind plasma, rather than shocks produced by wind–wind collision. Finally, by comparing the behavior of ϵ Lupi with that observed for cooler magnetic binary systems, we propose that elevated X-ray flux at periastron phase is likely a general characteristic of interacting magnetospheres irrespective of the spectral types of the constituent stars.

An X-ray view of the ambiguous nuclear transient AT2019pev

ABSTRACT AT2019pev is a nuclear transient in a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy at z = 0.096. The archival ultraviolet, optical, and infrared data showed features of both tidal disruption events and active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and its nature is not fully understood. We present detailed X-ray observations of AT2019pev taken with Swift, Chandra, and NICER over 173 d of its evolution since the first Swift XRT epoch. The X-ray luminosity increases by a factor of 5 in 5 d from the first Swift XRT epoch to the light-curve peak. The light curve decays by a factor of 10 over ∼75 d and then flattens with a weak re-brightening trend at late times. The X-ray spectra show a ‘harder-when-brighter’ trend before peak and a ‘harder-when-fainter’ trend after peak, which may indicate a transition of accretion states. The archival ground-based optical observations show similar time evolution as the X-ray light curves. Beyond the seasonal limit of the ground-based observations, the Gaia light curve is rising towards an equally bright or brighter peak 223 d after the optical discovery. Combining our X-ray analysis and archival multiwavelength data, AT2019pev more closely resembles an AGN transient.

Meta-analysis of electron cyclotron resonance absorption features detected in high-mass X-ray binaries

Using recent compilations of detailed X-ray observations and spectral models of exceptional quality, we record the electron cyclotron resonance absorption (ECRA) features that have been detected in 45 pulsating high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and ultraluminous X-ray (ULX) sources harboring neutron stars, although seven of these detections are still questionable and another 21 are single and/or not independently confirmed. From the comprehensive catalogs of Jaisawal & Naik and Staubert et al. and from several additional recent observations, we produce two lists of HMXB ECRA sources: a list of 17 sources in which multiple ECRA lines or single very low-energy lines are seen, in which we can reasonably assume that the lowest energy reveals the fundamental cyclotron level for each source; and a “contaminated” list of 38 sources including the 21 detections of single ECRA lines that may (not) be higher-level harmonics. Both lists confirm a previous result that we have obtained independently by modeling the propeller lines of Magellanic HMXB pulsars: the surface dipolar magnetic fields B* of HMXB neutron stars are segregated around five distinct values with B* = 0.28 ± 0.08, 0.55 ± 0.11, 1.3 ± 0.37, 3.0 ± 0.68 and 7.9 ± 3.1, in units of TG. However, an explanation of this phenomenon is currently lacking. We have found no correlation between these B* values and the corresponding observed spin periods, spin period derivatives, orbital periods, maximum X-ray luminosities, neutron star masses or companion star masses.

A REVERSE SHOCK IN GRB 130427A

We present extensive radio and millimeter observations of the unusually bright GRB 130427A at z=0.340, spanning 0.67 to 12 days after the burst. Taken in conjunction with detailed multi-band UV, optical, NIR, and X-ray observations we find that the broad-band afterglow emission is composed of distinct reverse shock and forward shock contributions. The reverse shock emission dominates in the radio/millimeter and at <0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR, while the forward shock emission dominates in the X-rays and at >0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR. We further find that the optical and X-ray data require a Wind circumburst environment, pointing to a massive star progenitor. Using the combined forward and reverse shock emission we find that the parameters of the burst are an isotropic kinetic energy of E_Kiso~2e53 erg, a mass loss rate of Mdot~3e-8 Msun/yr (for a wind velocity of 1,000 km/s), and a Lorentz factor at the deceleration time of Gamma(200s)~130. Due to the low density and large isotropic energy, the absence of a jet break to ~15 days places only a weak constraint on the opening angle of theta_j>2.5 deg, and therefore a total energy of E_gamma+E_K>1.2e51 erg, similar to other GRBs. The reverse shock emission is detectable in this burst due to the low circumburst density, which leads to a slow cooling shock. We speculate that this is a required property for the detectability of reverse shocks in the radio and millimeter bands. Following on GRB 130427A as a benchmark event, observations of future GRBs with the exquisite sensitivity of VLA and ALMA, coupled with detailed modeling of the reverse and forward shock contributions will test this hypothesis.

Using double radio relics to constrain galaxy cluster mergers: a model of double radio relics in CIZA J2242.8+5301

Galaxy clusters grow by mergers with other clusters and galaxy groups. These mergers create shock waves within the intracluster medium (ICM) that can accelerate particles to extreme energies. In the presence of magnetic fields, relativistic electrons form large regions emitting synchrotron radiation, so-called radio relics. Behind the shock front, synchrotron and inverse Compton (IC) losses cause the radio spectral index to steepen away from the shock front. An example of such a cluster is CIZA J2242.8+5301, where very clear spectral steepening in the downstream region is observed. Here we present hydrodynamical simulations of idealized binary cluster mergers with the aim of constraining the merger scenario for this cluster. From our simulations, we find that CIZA J2242.8+5301 is probably undergoing a merger in the plane of the sky (less then 10 deg from edge-on) with a mass ratio of about 2:1, and an impact parameter < 400 kpc. We find that the core passage of the clusters happened about 1 Gyr ago. We conclude that double relics relics can set constraints on the mass ratios, impact parameters, timescales, and viewing geometry of binary cluster mergers, which is particularly useful when detailed X-ray observations are not available. In addition, the presence of large radio relics can be used to constrain the degree of clumping in the outskirts of the ICM, which is important to constrain the baryon fraction, density and entropy profiles, around the virial radius and beyond. We find that the amplitude of density fluctuations, with sizes of < 200 kpc, in the relic in CIZA J2242.8+5301 is not larger than 30%. [abridged]

MASS AND HOT BARYONS IN MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTERS FROM SUBARU WEAK-LENSING AND AMiBA SUNYAEV-ZEL'DOVICH EFFECT OBSERVATIONS

We present a multiwavelength analysis of a sample of four hot (T_X>8keV) X-ray galaxy clusters (A1689, A2261, A2142, and A2390) using joint AMiBA Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE) and Subaru weak lensing observations, combined with published X-ray temperatures, to examine the distribution of mass and the intracluster medium (ICM) in massive cluster environments. Our observations show that A2261 is very similar to A1689 in terms of lensing properties. Many tangential arcs are visible around A2261, with an effective Einstein radius \sim 40 arcsec (at z \sim 1.5), which when combined with our weak lensing measurements implies a mass profile well fitted by an NFW model with a high concentration c_{vir} \sim 10, similar to A1689 and to other massive clusters. The cluster A2142 shows complex mass substructure, and displays a shallower profile (c_{vir} \sim 5), consistent with detailed X-ray observations which imply recent interaction. The AMiBA map of A2142 exhibits an SZE feature associated with mass substructure lying ahead of the sharp north-west edge of the X-ray core suggesting a pressure increase in the ICM. For A2390 we obtain highly elliptical mass and ICM distributions at all radii, consistent with other X-ray and strong lensing work. Our cluster gas fraction measurements, free from the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption, are overall in good agreement with published X-ray and SZE observations, with the sample-averaged gas fraction of <f_{gas}> = 0.133 \pm 0.027, for our sample <M_{vir}> = (1.2 \pm 0.1) \times 10^{15} M_{sun} h^{-1}. When compared to the cosmic baryon fraction f_b = \Omega_b/\Omega_m constrained by the WMAP 5-year data, this indicates <f_{gas}>/f_b = 0.78 \pm 0.16, i.e., (22 \pm 16)% of the baryons are missing from the hot phase of clusters.

A Radio through X‐Ray Study of the Jet/Companion‐Galaxy Interaction in 3C 321

We present a multiwavelength study of the nucleus, environment, jets, and hot spots of the nearby FR II radio galaxy 3C 321, using new and archival data from MERLIN, the VLA, Spitzer, HST, and Chandra. An initially collimated radio jet extends northwest from the nucleus of its host galaxy and produces a compact knot of radio emission adjacent (in projection) to a companion galaxy, after which it dramatically flares and bends, extending out in a diffuse structure 35 kpc northwest of the nucleus. We argue that the simplest explanation for the unusual morphology of the jet is that it is undergoing an interaction with the companion galaxy. Given that the northwest hot spot that lies 250 kpc from the core shows X-ray emission, which likely indicates in situ high-energy particle acceleration, we argue that the jet-companion interaction is not a steady state situation. Instead, we suggest that the jet has been disrupted on a timescale less than the light-travel time to the end of the lobe, ~106 yr, and that the jet flow to this hot spot will only be disrupted for as long as the jet-companion interaction takes place. The host galaxy of 3C 321 and the companion galaxy are in the process of merging, and each hosts a luminous AGN. As this is an unusual situation, we investigate the hypothesis that the interacting jet has driven material on to the companion galaxy, triggering its AGN. Finally, we present detailed radio and X-ray observations of both hot spots, which show that there are multiple emission sites, with spatial offsets between the radio and X-ray emission.

The Afterglow, Energetics, and Host Galaxy of the Short‐Hard Gamma‐Ray Burst 051221a

We present detailed optical, X-ray, and radio observations of the bright afterglow of the short gamma-ray burst 051221a obtained with Gemini, Swift XRT, and the Very Large Array, as well as optical spectra from which we measure the redshift of the burst, z = 0.5464. At this redshift the isotropic-equivalent prompt energy release was about 1.5 × 1051 ergs, and using a standard afterglow synchrotron model, we find that the blast wave kinetic energy is similar, EK,iso ≈ 8.4 × 1051 ergs. An observed jet break at t ≈ 5 days indicates that the opening angle is θj ≈ 7° and the total beaming-corrected energy is therefore ≈2.5 × 1049 ergs, comparable to the values inferred for previous short GRBs. We further show that the burst experienced an episode of energy injection by a factor of 3.4 between t = 1.4 and 3.4 hr, which was accompanied by reverse shock emission in the radio band. This result provides continued evidence that the central engines of short GRBs may be active significantly longer than the duration of the burst and/or produce a wide range of Lorentz factors. Finally, we show that the host galaxy is actively forming stars at a rate of about 1.6 M☉ yr-1, yet exhibits evidence for an appreciable population of old stars (~1 Gyr) and near-solar metallicity. These properties are intermediate between those of long GRB hosts and previous short burst hosts. The lack of bright supernova emission and the low circumburst density (n ~ 10-3 cm-3), however, continue to support the idea that short bursts are not related to massive stellar death. Given that the total energy release is larger than the predicted yield for a neutrino annihilation mechanism, this suggests that magnetohydrodynamic processes may be required to power the burst.

A Steady, Radiative‐Shock Method for Computing X‐Ray Emission from Colliding Stellar Winds in Close, Massive‐Star Binaries

We present a practical, efficient, semianalytic formalism for computing steady state X-ray emission from radiative shocks between colliding stellar winds in relatively close (orbital period up to order tens of days) massive-star, binary systems. Our simplified approach idealizes the individual wind flows as smooth and steady, ignoring the intrinsic instabilities and associated structure thought to occur in such flows. By also suppressing thin-shell instabilities for wind-collision radiative shocks, our steady state approach avoids the extensive structure and mixing that has thus far precluded reliable computation of X-ray emission spectra from time-dependent hydrodynamical simulations of close-binary, wind-collision systems; but in ignoring the unknown physical level of such mixing, the luminosity and hardness of X-ray spectra derived here represent upper limits to what is possible for a given set of wind and binary parameters. A key feature of our approach is the separation of calculations for the small-scale shock-emission from the ram-pressure-balance model for determining the large-scale, geometric form of the wind-wind interaction front. Integrating the localized shock emission over the full interaction surface and using a warm-absorber opacity to take account of attenuation by both the smooth wind and the compressed, cooled material in the interaction front, the method can predict spectra for a distant observer at any arbitrary orbital inclination and phase. We illustrate results for a sample selection of wind, stellar, and binary parameters, providing both full X-ray light curves and detailed spectra at selected orbital phases. The derived spectra typically have a broad characteristic form, and by synthetic processing with the standard XSPEC package, we demonstrate that they simply cannot be satisfactorily fitted with the usual attenuated single- or two-temperature thermal-emission models. We conclude with a summary of the advantages and limitations of our approach and outline its potential application for interpreting detailed X-ray observations from close, massive-star binary systems.

An old galaxy group:ChandraX-ray observations of the nearby fossil group NGC 6482

We present the first detailed X-ray observations, using Chandra, of NGC 6482 - the nearest known fossil group. The group is dominated by an optically luminous giant elliptical galaxy and all other known group members are at least two magnitudes fainter. The global X-ray properties (luminosity, temperature, extent) of NGC 6482 fall within the range of other groups, but the detailed properties show interesting differences. We derive the gas temperature and total mass profiles for the central 30 h -1 70 kpc (∼0.1 r 200 ) using ACIS spatially resolved spectroscopy. The unusually high L X /L opt ratio is found to result from a high central gas density. The temperature profile shows a continuous decrease outward, dropping to 0.63 of its central value at 0.1r 200 . The derived total mass profile is strongly centrally peaked, suggesting an early formation epoch. These results support a picture in which fossil groups are old, giving time for the most massive galaxies to have merged (via the effects of dynamical friction) to produce a central giant elliptical galaxy. Although the cooling time within 0.1r 200 is less than a Hubble time, no decrease in central temperature is detected. The entropy of the system lies toward the low side of the distribution seen in poor groups and drops all the way into the centre of the system, reaching very low values. No isentropic core, such as those predicted in simple pre-heating models, is present. Given the lack of any central temperature drop in the system, it seems unlikely that radiative cooling can be invoked to explain this low central entropy. The lack of any signature of central cooling is especially striking in a system that appears to be old and relaxed, and to have a central cooling time ≤10 8 yr. We find that the centrally peaked temperature profile is consistent with a steady-state cooling-flow solution with an accretion rate of 2 M ○. yr -1 , given the large P dV work arising from the cuspy mass profile. However, solutions involving distributed or non-steady heating cannot be ruled out.

The First Detailed X-Ray Observations of High-Redshift, Optically Selected Clusters: XMM-Newton Results for Cl 1324+3011 at z = 0.76 and Cl 1604+4304 at z = 0.90

We present the first detailed X-ray observations of optically-selected clusters at high redshift. Two clusters, Cl 1324+3011 at z = 0.76 and Cl 1604+4304 at z = 0.90, were observed with XMM-Newton. The optical center of each cluster is coincident with an extended X-ray source whose emission is detected out to a radius of 0.5 Mpc. The emission from each cluster appears reasonably circular, with some indication of asymmetries and more complex morphologies. Similarly to other optically-selected clusters at redshifts of z > 0.4, both clusters are modest X-ray emitters with bolometric luminosities of only Lx = 1.4 - 2.0 x 10^(44) erg/s. We measure gas temperatures of T = 2.88 (+0.71/-0.49) keV for Cl 1324+3011 and 2.51 (+1.05/-0.69) keV for Cl 1604+4304. The X-ray properties of both clusters are consistent with the high-redshift Lx-T relation measured from X-ray-selected samples at z > 0.5. However, based on the local relations, their X-ray luminosities and temperatures are low for their measured velocity dispersions (sigma). The clusters are cooler by a factor of 2 - 9 compared to the local sigma-T relation. We briefly discuss the possible explanations for these results.

Constraining the Collisional Nature of the Dark Matter through Observations of Gravitational Wakes

We propose to use gravitational wakes as a direct observational probe of the collisional nature of the dark matter. We calculate analytically the structure of a wake generated by the motion of a galaxy in the core of an X-ray cluster for dark matter in the highly collisional and collisionless limits. Although the difference between these limits is most likely too subtle to be detected with weak lensing observations, we show that the two cases can be distinguished through detailed X-ray observations. We also discuss the sizes of subhalos in these limits. Preliminary X-ray data on the motion of NGC 1404 through the Fornax group disfavors fluidlike dark matter but does not exclude scenarios in which the dark matter is weakly collisional.

An X-ray and optical study of the cluster A33

We report the first detailed X-ray and optical observations of the medium-distant cluster A33 obtained with the Beppo-SAX satellite and with the UH 2.2 m and Keck II telescopes at Mauna Kea. The information deduced from X-ray and optical imaging and spectroscopic data allowed us to identify the X-ray source 1SAXJ0027.2-1930 as the X-ray counterpart of the A33 cluster. The faint, erg s-1 cm-2, X-ray source 1SAXJ0027.2-1930, arcmin away from the optical position of the cluster as given in the Abell catalogue, is identified with the central region of A33. Based on six cluster galaxy redshifts, we determine the redshift of A33, ; this is lower than the value derived by Leir & Van Den Bergh (1977). The source X-ray luminosity, erg s-1 cm-2, and intracluster gas temperature, keV, make this cluster interesting for cosmological studies of the cluster relation at intermediate redshifts. Two other X-ray sources in the A33 field are identified. An AGN at , and an M-type star, whose emissions are blended to form an extended X-ray emission arcmin north of the A33 cluster. A third possibly point-like X-ray source detected arcmin north-west of A33 lies close to a spiral galaxy at and to an elliptical galaxy at the same redshift as the cluster.

Thermotropic liquid crystals of polyesters having a mesogenic 4,4-bibenzoate unit Smectic mesophase properties and structures in dimeric model compounds

Abstract In this study, we prepared a homologous series of dimeric compounds, di-BB-n These compounds have two mesogenic groups linked by a flexible methylene spacer and so can be regarded as model compounds for main chain liquid crystalline BB-n polyesters. In this dimeric system, we observed distinct odd-even effects in which the smectic mesophase properties and structures are significantly affected by the number of carbon atoms in the flexible spacer. The most interesting effect among them was observed for a type of smectic phase. From detailed optical microscopy and X-ray observations, we found that the even-membered di-BB-n materials form a smectic A while the odd-membered ones form a smectic C2 phase. Such a distinct odd-even effect was concluded to result from the confined spatial orientation of mesogenic groups which is controlled by the conformation of the flexible spacer similar to the BB-n polymeric system.

Flaring arches

Detailed H-alpha, UV-line, and X-ray observations are presented of an extended arch that developed as a consequence of a compact subflare to a length of 300,000 km, in an 'included' magnetic polarity of low magnetic field strength. This great arch was preceded by one an order of magnitude smaller, which masked the polarity inversion line filament in the subflare's early phase. The fact that both arches were simultaneously observed in all spectral domains, as well as their fine structure in H-alpha, is explainable only in terms of an arch composition that encompassed several unresolved portions of material having widely different temperatures.

Detailed X-ray observations of M83

view Abstract Citations (55) References (35) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Detailed X-ray observations of M 83. Trinchieri, G. ; Fabbiano, G. ; Palumbo, G. G. C. Abstract X-ray observation of M83 with the Einstein Observatory indicates an extent and shape for this emission that are comparable to those in the blue band, although the inner 2-arcmin region shows a relative X-ray excess that may be accounted for by a clustering of bulge-type X-ray sources in the inner region of the plane of the galaxy. A lack of correlation in high resolution X-ray observations is noted between X-ray emission and the spiral arm pattern, suggesting that most of the X-ray emission from the plane of M83 is due to unresolved sources, belonging to the 'smooth' disk population, whose ages are in the 100 million-1 billion year range. Attention is given to six bright sources in the plane and nuclear region of M83, whose high X-ray luminosities suggest that they are close accreting binaries. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: March 1985 DOI: 10.1086/162963 Bibcode: 1985ApJ...290...96T Keywords: Binary Stars; Galactic Structure; Spiral Galaxies; X Ray Sources; X Ray Stars; Disk Galaxies; Milky Way Galaxy; Stellar Evolution; Stellar Luminosity; Stellar Mass Accretion; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (14) NED (4)

Detailed X-ray Observations of the Cygnus Loop

High quality X-ray spectral and imaging observations of the Cygnus Loop have been obtained with three different instruments. The High Resolution Imager (HRI) on the Einstein Observatory was used to obtain arcsecond resolution images of select bright regions in the Cygnus Loop which permit detailed comparisons between the X-ray, optical, and radio structure of the Loop. The Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC) on the Einstein Observatory was used to obtain an arcminute resolution map of essentially the full Loop structure. Finally, an Imaging Gas Scintillation Proportional Counter (IGSPC), carried aloft by a sounding rocket last fall, obtained modest resolution, spatially resolved spectrophotometry of the Cygnus Loop. An X-ray map of the Loop in the energy of the 0 VIII line was obtained. These data combine to yield a very powerful probe of the abundance, temperature, and density distribution of material in the supernova remnant, and in the interstellar medium.

Closed coronal structures. III - Comparison of static models with X-ray, EUV, and radio observations

Numerical models of static coronal loops in energy balance are compared with high spatial resolution observations of extreme ultraviolet lines, broad-band X-ray emission, and interferometric observations at 2.8 cm of a solar active region. Difficulties of using scaling laws to test static models of coronal loops are reviewed. The theoretical model used for the comparison is summarized; the detailed X-ray, EUV, and microwave observations of the selected active region are presented; and the comparison of the model with the observations is performed. It is shown that simple static models with conductive flux vanishing at the loop base reproduce satisfactorily the observed properties in the upper portion of loop structures from compact, high-pressure loops in the core of the region to more extended, fainter loops and to large-scale loops interconnecting different active regions. Effects of changing loop parameters are investigated, and it is argued, that in contrast to the present approach, scaling laws cannot be used to discriminate between different static energy balance models. Some discrepancy is found between model predictions and observations for the lower sections of loop structures. Possible causes of the discrepancy are discussed.