keV Count Rate Research Articles

An alternative scheme to estimate AstroSat/LAXPC background for faint sources

An alternative scheme is described to estimate the layer 1 LAXPC 20 background for faint sources where the source contribution to the 50-80 keV count rate is less than 0.25 counts/sec (15 milli-crabs or $6 \times 10^{-11}$ ergs/s/cm$^2$). We consider 12 blank sky observations and based on their 50-80 keV count rate in 100 second time-bins, generate four template spectra which are then used to estimate the background spectrum and lightcurve for a given faint source observation. The variance of the estimated background subtracted spectra for the 12 blank sky observations is taken as the energy dependent systematic uncertainty which will dominate over the statistical one for exposures longer than 5 ksecs. The estimated 100 second time bin background lightcurve in the 4-20 keV band with a 3\% systematic error matches with the blank sky ones. The 4-20 keV spectrum can be constrained for a source with flux $\gtrapprox 1$ milli-crab. Fractional r.m.s variability of 10\% can be determined for a $\sim 5$ milli-crab source lightcurve binned at 100 seconds. To illustrate the scheme, the lightcurves, and spectra of three different blank sky observations, three AGN sources (Mrk 0926, Mrk 110, NGC 4593), and LMC X-1 are shown.

More than softer-when-brighter: The X-ray powerlaw spectral variability in NGC 4051

The powerlaw X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei at moderate to high accretion rates normally appear softer when they brighten, for which the underlying mechanisms are yet unclear. Utilizing XMM-Newton observations and excluding photons $<$ 2 keV to avoid contamination from the soft excess, in this work we scrutinize the powerlaw spectral variability of NCG 4051 from two new aspects. We first find that a best-fit "softer-when-brighter" relation is statistically insufficient to explain the observed spectral variabilities, and intervals deviated from the empirical relation are clearly visible in the light curve of 2 -- 4 keV/4 -- 10 keV count rate ratio. The deviations are seen not only between but also within individual XMM-Newton exposures, consistent with random variations of the corona geometry or inner structure (with timescales as short as $\sim$ 1 ks), in addition to those behind the smooth "softer-when-brighter" trend. We further find the "softer-when-brighter" trend gradually weakens with the decreasing timescale (from $\sim$ 100 ks down to 0.5 ks). These findings indicate that the powerlaw spectral slope is not solely determined by its brightness. We propose a two-tier geometry, including flares/nano-flares on top of the inner disc and an embedding extended corona (heated by the flares, in analogy to solar corona) to explain the observations together with other observational clues in literature. Rapid spectral variabilities could be due to individual flares/nano-flares, while slow ones are driven by the variations in the global activity of inner disc region (akin to the variation of solar activity, but not the accretion rate) accompanied with heating/cooling and inflation/contraction of the extended corona.

Is Extended Hard X-Ray Emission Ubiquitous in Compton-thick AGN?

Abstract The recent Chandra discovery of extended ∼kiloparsec-scale hard (&gt;3 keV) X-ray emission in nearby Compton-thick (CT) active galactic nuclei (AGN) opens a new window to improving AGN torus modeling and investigating how the central supermassive black hole interacts with and impacts the host galaxy. Since there are only a handful of detections so far, we need to establish a statistical sample to determine the ubiquity of the extended hard X-ray emission in CT AGN and quantify the amount and extent of this component. In this paper, we present the spatial analysis results of a pilot Chandra imaging survey of seven nearby ( 0.006 &lt; z &lt; 0.013 ) CT AGN selected from the Swift-BAT spectroscopic AGN survey. We find that five out of the seven CT AGN show extended emission in the 3–7 keV band detected at &gt;3σ above the Chandra point-spread function (PSF), with ∼12%–22% of the total emission in the extended components. ESO 137-G034 and NGC 3281 display biconical ionization structures with extended hard X-ray emission reaching kiloparsec scales (∼1.9 and 3.5 kpc in diameter). The other three show extended hard X-ray emission above the PSF out to at least ∼360 pc in radius. We find a trend that a minimum 3–7 keV count rate of 0.01 counts s−1 and total excess fraction &gt;20% are required to detect a prominent extended hard X-ray component. Given that this extended hard X-ray component appears to be relatively common in this uniformly selected CT AGN sample, we further discuss the implications for torus modeling and AGN feedback.

Determination of the polymeric thin film thickness by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and multivariate analysis

The objective of this work was to investigate the potential of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for polymeric thin film thickness measurements using univariate and multivariate statistical tools. To this end, nine polymeric films 1.5 to 7.6 μm thick with different composition were used for calibration and validation purposes. The univariate approach was not suitable as thickness measurement strategy, because the coefficient of determination (R2) between the Rh-Kα Compton (18.54–19.83 keV) counting rate and the thin film thickness was estimated as 0.873 (n = 9). Even lower R2 values were estimated for other X-ray spectral regions. On the other hand, the multivariate approach proved to be appropriated for the polymeric thin film thickness measurement, presenting satisfactory R2 values (0.993–0.998; n = 8), precision (4%) and recovery (97%). The scanning electron microscopy was employed for validation of the proposed multivariate strategy. One can concluded that we show that the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence using multivariate approach is a powerful non-destructive tool to measure the polymeric thin film thickness.

Complex optical/UV and X-ray variability of the Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0419–577

We present detailed broadband UV/optical to X-ray spectral variability of the Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0419-577 using six XMM-Newton observations performed during 2002-2003. These observations covered a large amplitude variability event in which the soft X-ray (0.3-2 keV) count rate increased by a factor of ~4 in six months. The X-ray spectra during the variability are well described by a model consisting of a primary power law, blurred and distant reflection. The 2-10 keV power-law flux varied by a factor ~7 while the 0.3-2 keV soft X-ray excess flux derived from the blurred reflection component varied only by a factor of ~2. The variability event was also observed in the optical and UV bands but the variability amplitudes were only at the 6-10% level. The variations in the optical and UV bands appear to follow the variations in the X-ray band. During the rising phase, the optical bands appear to lag behind the UV band but during the declining phase, the optical bands appear to lead the UV band. Such behavior is not expected in the reprocessing models where the optical/UV emission is the result of reprocessing of X-ray emission in the accretion disc. The delayed contribution of the broad emission lines in the UV band or the changes in the accretion disc/corona geometry combined with X-ray reprocessing may give rise to the observed behavior of the variations.

Coronal type III radio bursts and their X-ray flare and interplanetary type III counterparts

Type III bursts and hard X-rays are both produced by flare energetic electron beams. The link between both emissions has been investigated in many previous studies, but no statistical studies have compared both coronal and interplanetary type III bursts with X-ray flares. Using coronal radio events above 100 MHz exclusively from type III bursts, we revisited long-standing questions: Do all coronal type III bursts have X-ray counterparts. What correlation, if any, occurs between radio and X-ray intensities. What X-ray and radio signatures above 100 MHz occur in connection with interplanetary type III bursts below 14 MHz. We analysed data from 2002 to 2011 starting with coronal type III bursts above 100 MHz. We used RHESSI X-ray data greater than 6 keV to make a list of 321 events that have associated type III bursts and X-ray flares, encompassing at least 28 percent of the initial sample of type III events. We examined the timings, intensities, associated GOES class, and any interplanetary radio signature. For our 321 events, the X-ray emission at 6 keV usually lasted longer than type III burst groups at frequencies greater than 100 MHz. A weak correlation was found between the type III radio flux at frequencies below 327 MHz and the X-ray intensity at 25-50 keV, with an absence of events at high X-ray intensity and low type III radio flux. Interplanetary type III bursts less than 14 MHz were observed for 54 percent of the events, increasing when events were observed with 25-50 keV X-rays. A stronger interplanetary association was present when 25-50 keV count rates were above 250 counts per second or 170 MHz fluxes were greater than 1000 SFU, relating to more energetic electrons above 25 keV and events where magnetic flux tubes extend into the high corona. On average type III bursts increase in flux with decreasing frequency, the rate varies from event to event.

X-RAY FLARING ACTIVITY OF MRK 421 IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2013

ABSTRACT We present the results of the Swift and NuSTAR observations of the nearby BL Lac object Mrk 421 during 2013 January–June. The source exhibited a strong long-term variability in the 0.3–10 keV and 3–79 keV bands with the maximum-to-minimum daily-binned flux ratios of 22 and 95, respectively, in about 3 months, mainly due to unprecedented strong X-ray outbursts by more than an order of magnitude in both bands within 2 weeks in 2013 April when the 0.3–10 keV count rate exceeded the level of 200 cts s−1 for the first time, and Mrk 421 became one of the brightest sources in the X-ray sky. The source was also very active on intra-day timescales, and it showed flux doubling and halving timescales of 1.16–7.20 hr and 1.04–3.54 hr, respectively. On some occasions, the flux varied by 4%–23% within 300–840 s. During this period, the source also exhibited some of the most extreme X-ray spectral variability ever reported for BL Lacs—the location of the synchrotron spectral energy distribution peak shifted from a few eV to ∼10 keV, and the photon index at 1 keV and curvature parameter varied on timescales from a few weeks down to intervals shorter than 1 ks. MAGIC and First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope observations also revealed a very strong very high energy (VHE) flare during April 11–17. The UV and HE γ-ray flares were much weaker compared to their X-ray counterparts, and they generally showed significantly stronger correlation with each other than with the X-ray fluxes.

A recent strong X-ray flaring activity of 1ES 1959+650 with possibly less efficient stochastic acceleration

Abstract We present an X-ray flaring activity of 1ES 1959+650 in 2015 August–2016 January, which was the most powerful and prolonged during the 10.75 yr period since the start of its monitoring with X-ray Telescope onboard Swift. A new highest historical 0.3–10 keV count rate was recorded three times that makes this object the third BL Lacertae source exceeding the level of 20 counts s−1. Along with the overall variability by a factor of 5.7, this epoch was characterized by fast X-ray flares by a factor of 2.0–3.1, accompanied with an extreme spectral variability. The source also shows a simultaneous flaring activity in the optical – UV and 0.3–100 GeV bands, although a fast γ-ray flare without significant optical – X-ray counterparts is also found. In contrast to the X-ray flares in the previous years, the stochastic acceleration seems be less important for the electrons responsible for producing X-ray emission during this flare that challenges the earlier suggestion that the electrons in the jets of TeV-detected BL Lacertae objects should undergo an efficient stochastic acceleration resulting in a lower X-ray spectral curvature.

SUZAKUX-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE FERMI BUBBLES: NORTHERNMOST CAP AND SOUTHEAST CLAW DISCOVERED WITH MAXI-SSC

We report on Suzaku observations of large-scale X-ray structures possibly related with the Fermi Bubbles obtained in 2013 with a total duration of ~ 80 ks. The observed regions were the: (i) northern cap (N-cap; l ~ 0 deg, 45 deg < b < 55 deg) seen in the Mid-band (1.7-4.0 keV) map recently provided by MAXI-SSC and (ii) southeast claw (SE-claw; l ~ 10 deg, -20 deg < b < -10 deg) seen in the ROSAT all-sky map and MAXI-SSC Low-band (0.7-1.7 keV) map. In each region, we detected diffuse X-ray emissions which are represented by a three component plasma model consisting of an unabsorbed thermal component (kT ~ 0.1 keV) from the Local Bubble, absorbed kT = 0.30+/-0.05 keV emission representing the Galactic Halo, and a power-law component due to the isotropic cosmic X-ray background radiation. The emission measure of the GH component in the SE-claw shows an excess by a factor of ~ 2.5 over the surrounding emission at 2 deg away. We also found a broad excess in the 1.7-4.0 keV count rates across the N-cap after compiling other archival data from Suzaku and Swift. The spectral stacking analysis of the N-cap data indicates the presence of another thermal component with kT = 0.70 (+0.22,-0.11) keV. The temperature of kT ~ 0.3 keV of the Galactic Halo is higher than the ubiquitous value of kT ~ 0.2 keV near the Fermi Bubbles, and can be even higher (~ 0.7 keV). We discuss our findings in the context of bubble-halo interaction.

THENUSTARVIEW OF A QPO EVOLUTION OF GRS 1915+105

We report a timing analysis of the black hole binary GRS 1915+105 with the NuSTAR observatory. A strong type-C QPO below 2 Hz appears in the power density spectrum during the whole observation, whose frequency is correlated with the 3-25 keV count rate. The QPO shows a sudden increase in frequency along with an increase in flux and a softening of the spectrum. We discuss the possible origin of the QPO and the reasons that lead to the QPO frequency variation. It is suggested that the reflection component has little influence on QPO frequency and the increase in QPO frequency could be associated with the inward motion of the outer part of the disk.

ASUZAKUDISCOVERY OF A SLOWLY VARYING HARD X-RAY CONTINUUM FROM THE TYPE I SEYFERT GALAXY NGC 3516

The bright type I Seyfert galaxy NGC 3516 was observed by {\it Suzaku} twice, in 2005 October 12--15 and 2009 October 28--November 2, for a gross time coverage of 242 and 544 ksec and a net exposure of 134 and 255 ksec, respectively. The 2--10 keV luminosity was $2.8 \times 10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$ in 2005, and $1.6 \times 10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$ in 2009. The 1.4--1.7 keV and 2--10 keV count rates both exhibited peak-to-peak variations by a factor of $\sim2$ in 2005, while $\sim 4$ in 2009. In either observation, the 15--45 keV count rate was less variable. The 2--10 keV spectrum in 2005 was significantly more convex than that in 2009. Through a count-count-plot technique, the 2--45 keV signals in both data were successfully decomposed in a model-independent way into two distinct broadband components. One is a variable emission with a featureless spectral shape, and the other is a non-varying hard component accompanied by a prominent Fe-K emission line at 6.33 keV (6.40 keV in the rest frame). The former was fitted successfully by an absorbed power-law model, while the latter requires a new hard continuum in addition to a reflection component from distant materials. The spectral and variability differences between the two observations are mainly attributed to long-term changes of this new hard continuum, which was stable on time scales of several hundreds ksec.

THE Be/X-RAY BINARY SWIFT J1626.6–5156 AS A VARIABLE CYCLOTRON LINE SOURCE

Swift J1626.6-5156 is a Be/X-ray binary that was in outburst from December 2005 until November 2008. We have examined RXTE/PCA and HEXTE spectra of three long observations of this source taken early in its outburst, when the PCA 2-20 keV count rate was >70 counts/s/PCU, as well as several combined observations from different stages of the outburst. The spectra are best fit with an absorbed cutoff power law with a ~6.4 keV iron emission line and a Gaussian optical depth absorption line at ~10 keV. We present strong evidence that this absorption-like feature is a cyclotron resonance scattering feature, making Swift J1626.6-5156 a new candidate cyclotron line source. The redshifted energy of ~10 keV implies a magnetic field strength of ~8.6(1+z) x 10^11 G in the region of the accretion column close to the magnetic poles where the cyclotron line is produced. Analysis of phase averaged spectra spanning the duration of the outburst suggests a possible positive correlation between the fundamental cyclotron energy and source luminosity. Phase resolved spectroscopy from a long observation reveals a variable cyclotron line energy, with phase dependence similar to a variety of other pulsars, as well as the first harmonic of the fundamental cyclotron line.

MODELING THE X-RAYS RESULTING FROM HIGH-VELOCITY CLOUDS

With the goal of understanding why X-rays have been reported near some high velocity clouds, we perform detailed 3 dimensional hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic simulations of clouds interacting with environmental gas like that in the Galaxy's thick disk/halo or the Magellanic Stream. We examine 2 scenarios. In the first, clouds travel fast enough to shock-heat warm environmental gas. In this scenario, the X-ray productivity depends strongly on the speed of the cloud and the radiative cooling rate. In order to shock-heat environmental gas to temperatures of > or = 10^6 K, cloud speeds of > or = 300 km/s are required. If cooling is quenched, then the shock-heated ambient gas is X-ray emissive, producing bright X-rays in the 1/4 keV band and some X-rays in the 3/4 keV band due to O VII and other ions. If, in contrast, the radiative cooling rate is similar to that of collisional ionizational equilibrium plasma with solar abundances, then the shocked gas is only mildly bright and for only about 1 Myr. The predicted count rates for the non-radiative case are bright enough to explain the count rate observed with XMM-Newton toward a Magellanic Stream cloud and some enhancement in the ROSAT 1/4 keV count rate toward Complex C, while the predicted count rates for the fully radiative case are not. In the second scenario, the clouds travel through and mix with hot ambient gas. The mixed zone can contain hot gas, but the hot portion of the mixed gas is not as bright as those from the shock-heating scenario.

Spectral and Timing Studies of Cyg X-1 in the Low/Hard State with Suzaku

From 2005 to 2009, 25 observations of Cyg X-1 were performed with Suzaku, achieving a total exposure of 446 ks. In all observations, the source was found in the low/hard state, while the 1.5–12.0 keV count rate of the All-Sky Monitor onboard RXTE varied by a factor of $\sim\ $ 3. In each observation, the 10–60 keV HXD-PIN spectrum and the 60–400 keV HXD-GSO spectrum were fitted successfully by a thermal Comptonization model plus reflection by a thick neutral material. As the soft X-ray intensity increased, the Compton $y$ -parameter was found to decrease from 1.0 to 0.6, while the solid angle of reflection increased by $\sim\ $ 30%. Also conducted was a timing analysis over a frequency range of 10 $^{-3}$ –10 Hz. As the source became brighter in soft X-rays, the characteristic frequency of the hard X-ray variation increased from 0.03 to 0.3 Hz, while the fractional hard X-ray variation integrated over 10 $^{-3}$ –10 $^{-2}$ Hz decreased by a factor of $\sim\ $ 5. The signals in the 60–200 keV band were generally found to vary on shorter time scales than those in the 10–60 keV band. These spectral and timing results can be consistently interpreted by presuming that increases in the mass accretion rate cause the Comptonizing hot corona to shrink, while the optically-thick disk to intrude deeper therein.

THE FAINT “HEARTBEATS” OF IGR J17091−3624: AN EXCEPTIONAL BLACK HOLE CANDIDATE

We report on the first 180 days of RXTE observations of the outburst of the black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624. This source exhibits a broad variety of complex light curve patterns including periods of strong flares alternating with quiet intervals. Similar patterns in the X-ray light curves have been seen in the (up to now) unique black hole system GRS 1915+105. In the context of the variability classes defined by Belloni et al. (2000) for GRS 1915+105, we find that IGR J17091-3624 shows the \nu, \rho, \alpha, \lambda, \beta and \mu classes as well as quiet periods which resemble the \chi class, all occurring at 2-60 keV count rate levels which can be 10-50 times lower than observed in GRS 1915+105. The so-called \rho class "heartbeats" occur as fast as every few seconds and as slow as ~100 seconds, tracing a loop in the hardness-intensity diagram which resembles that previously seen in GRS 1915+105. However, while GRS 1915+105 traverses this loop clockwise, IGR J17091-3624 does so in the opposite sense. We briefly discuss our findings in the context of the models proposed for GRS 1915+105 and find that either all models requiring near Eddington luminosities for GRS 1915+105-like variability fail, or IGR J17091-3624 lies at a distance well in excess of 20 kpc or, it harbors one of the least massive black holes known (< 3 M_sun).

X-RAY EMISSION FROM YOUNG STARS IN THE MASSIVE STAR-FORMING REGION IRAS 20126+4104

We present a $40\,$ks Chandra observation of the IRAS$\,$20126+4104 core region. In the inner $6^{\prime\prime}$ two X-ray sources were detected, which are coincident with the radio jet source I20S and the variable radio source I20Var. No X-ray emission was detected from the nearby massive protostar I20N. The spectra of both detected sources are hard and highly absorbed, with no emission below $3\,$keV. For I20S, the measured $0.5-8\,$keV count rate was $4.3\,$cts$\,$ks$^{-1}$. The X-ray spectrum was fit with an absorbed 1T APEC model with an energy of kT$\,=10\,$keV and an absorbing column of N$_H = 1.2\times 10^{23}\,$cm$^{-2}$. An unabsorbed X-ray luminosity of about $1.4\times 10^{32}\,$erg$\,$s$^{-1}$ was estimated. The spectrum shows broad line emission between 6.4 and 6.7\, keV, indicative of emission from both neutral and highly ionized iron. The X-ray lightcurve indicates that I20S is marginally variable; however, no flare emission was observed. The variable radio source I20Var was detected with a count rate of $0.9\,$cts$\,$ks$^{-1}$ but there was no evidence of X-ray variability. The best fit spectral model is a 1T APEC model with an absorbing hydrogen column of N$_H = 1.1\times 10^{23}\,$cm$^{-2}$ and a plasma energy of kT = 6.0$\,$keV. The unabsorbed X-ray luminosity is about $3\times 10^{31}\,$erg$\,$s$^{-1}$.

The RHESSI Microflare Height Distribution

We present the first in-depth statistical survey of flare source heights observed by RHESSI. Flares were found using a flare-finding algorithm designed to search the 6-10 keV count-rate when RHESSI's full sensitivity was available in order to find the smallest events (Christe et al., 2008). Between March 2002 and March 2007, a total of 25,006 events were found. Source locations were determined in the 4-10 keV, 10-15 keV, and 15-30 keV energy ranges for each event. In order to extract the height distribution from the observed projected source positions, a forward-fit model was developed with an assumed source height distribution where height is measured from the photosphere. We find that the best flare height distribution is given by g(h) \propto exp(-h/{\lambda}) where {\lambda} = 6.1\pm0.3 Mm is the scale height. A power-law height distribution with a negative power-law index, {\gamma} = 3.1 \pm 0.1 is also consistent with the data. Interpreted as thermal loop top sources, these heights are compared to loops generated by a potential field model (PFSS). The measured flare heights distribution are found to be much steeper than the potential field loop height distribution which may be a signature of the flare energization process.

RHESSIMicroflare Statistics. I. Flare‐Finding and Frequency Distributions

We present the first in-depth statistical survey of all X-ray microflares observed by RHESSI between 2002 March and 2007 March, a total of 25,705 events, an order of magnitude larger then previous studies. These microflares were found using a new flare-finding algorithm designed to search the 6-12 keV count rate when RHESSI's full sensitivity was available in order to find the smallest events. The peak and total count rate are automatically obtained along with count spectra at the peak and the microflare centroid position. Our microflare magnitudes are below GOES C class, on average GOES A class (background subtracted). They are found to occur only in active regions, not in the quiet Sun, and are similar to large flares. The monthly average microflaring rate is found to vary with the solar cycle and ranges from 90 to 5 flares a day during active and quiet times, respectively. Most flares are found to be impulsive (74%), with rise times shorter than decay times. The mean flare duration is ~6 minutes with a 1 minute minimum set by the flare-finding algorithm. The frequency distributions of the peak count rate in the energy bands, 3-6, 6-12, and 12-25 keV, can be represented by power-law distributions with a negative power-law index of -->1.50 ± 0.03, -->1.51 ± 0.03, and -->1.58 ± 0.02, respectively. We find that these power-law indices are constant as a function of time. The X-ray photon spectra for individual events can be approximated with a power-law spectrum [ -->dJ/d(hν) ~ (hν)−γ]. Using the ratio of photon fluxes between 10-15 and 15-20 keV, we find -->4 -1.7 ± 0.1. We estimate the total energy flux deposited in active regions by microflare-associated accelerated electrons (>10 keV) over the five years of observations to be, on average, below 1026 erg s−1.

Properties of the background of EPIC-pn onboard XMM-Newton

We have investigated the background properties of EPIC-pn onboard XMM-Newton to establish the background subtraction method. Count rates of the background vary violently by two orders of magnitude at the maximum, while during the most quiet period, these are stable within 8% at a 1σ level. The overall spectrum is dominated by particle events above 5 keV, and its spatial variation is also found. The long-term variation of the background is also investigated with CAL CLOSED data, where the filter wheel was in closed position with the internal calibration source illuminating the sensitive area. The average background count rate decreased by 20% from March 2000 to January 2001, but it regained in February 2001. For the modeling of the background spectrum, we investigate relations between the 2.0–7.0 keV count rate and some characteristic parameters. The 2.0–7.0 keV background count rate shows a good correlation with the count rate of events outside the field of view. This correlation is usable for the modeling of the background.

The X-ray variability of the narrow-line type 1 Seyfert galaxy IRAS 13224-3809 from anXMM-Newtonobservation

We report on the XMM‐Newton timing properties of the most X-ray variable, radio-quiet, narrow-line type 1 Seyfert galaxy IRAS 13224‐3809. IRAS 13224‐3809 continues to display the extremely variable behaviour that was previously observed with ROSAT and ASCA ;h owever, no giant, rapid flaring events are observed. We detect variations by a factor as high as ∼8 during the 64-ks observation and the variability is persistent throughout the light curve. Dividing the light curve into 9-min segments, we found almost all of the segments to be variable at >3σ . When the time-averaged cross-correlation function is calculated for the 0.3‐0.8 keV band with the 3‐10 keV band, the cross-correlation profile is skewed, indicating a possible smearing of the signal to longer times (the soft band leading the hard). A correlation between count rate and hardness ratio is detected in four energy bands. In three cases, the correlation is consistent with spectral hardening at lower count rates, which can be explained in terms of a partial-covering model. The other band displays the reverse effect, showing spectral hardening at higher count rates. We can explain this trend as a more variable power-law component compared with the soft component. We also detect a delay between the 0.3‐1.5 keV count rate and the 0.8‐1.5 to 0.3‐0.8 keV hardness ratio, implying flux-induced spectral variability. Such delays and asymmetries in the cross-correlation functions could suggest reprocessing of soft and hard photons. In general, much of the timing behaviour can be attributed to erratic eclipsing behaviour associated with the partial covering phenomenon, in addition to intrinsic variability in the source. The variability behaviour of IRAS 13224‐3809 suggests a complicated combination of effects which we have started to disentangle with this present analysis.