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Bradt, H. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Bradt, H. V..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Rapid X-ray and optical flares from Scorpius X-1

A 1 second time structure in X-ray flares from Sco X-1 and simultaneous optical flares with time structures no faster than 20 s are reported. The shortest reported time scale in the X-ray emission from Sco X-1 is decreased by a factor of 10, while remaining consistent with the parameters of the standard plasma model from Sco X-1. Different mechanisms for the production of X-ray flares and optical flares are suggested, and the production of optical flares by reprocessing on the surface of the binary companion of Sco X-1 is ruled out by the X-ray/optical flare time delay.

Petro, L. D.↗

The Ophiuchus cluster - A bright X-ray cluster of galaxies at low galactic latitude

The discovery of an extended X-ray source identified with a cluster of galaxies at low galactic latitude is reported. The source, designated the Ophiuchus cluster, was detected near 4U 1708-23 with the HEAO 1 Scanning Modulation Collimator, and identified with the cluster on the basis of extended X-ray size and positional coincidence on the ESO/SRC (J) plate of the region. An X-ray flux density in the region 2-10 keV of approximately 25 microJ was measured, along with an X-ray luminosity of 1.6 x 10 to the 45th ergs/sec and an X-ray core radius of approximately 4 arcmin (0.2 Mpc) for an assumed isothermal sphere surface brightness distribution. The X-ray spectrum in the range 2-10 keV obtained with the HEAO 1 A-2 instrument is well fit by a thermal bremsstrahlung model with kT = 8 keV and a 6.7-keV iron line of equivalent width 450 eV. The steep-spectrum radio source MSH 17-203 also appears to be associated with the cluster, which is the closest and brightest representative of the class of X-ray clusters with a dominant central galaxy.

Johnston, M. D.↗

Unidentified galactic X-ray sources positioned with the HEAO-1 scanning modulation collimator

Observations made with the HEAO-1 scanning modulation collimator are used to determine the positions of 16 unidentified X-ray sources at low galactic latitudes. Positions were obtained to within 10-30 arcsec in one dimension from two four-grid collimator observations made at six-month intervals. Positions determined in addition for eight sources identified with optical objects verify the method employed. Of the unidentified sources, the positional uncertainties of ten are reduced by factors of two to eight, the precise X-ray positions (within 10 arcsec) obtained by lunar occultation experiments are confirmed for three and multiple precise positions (within 20 arcsec) which reduce the previous location uncertainties by factors of greater than 100 are obtained for the remaining three.

Reid, C. A.↗

Precise positions and optical search for the 38 second X-ray pulsar near OAO 1653-40 and upper limit on X-ray emission from V861 Scorpii

The region of the binary system V861 Scorpii, whose secondary has been suggested as a black hole candidate, was observed with the HEAO 1 X-ray observatory during an 8-hour pointed observation on September 4, 1978. An upper limit of 1.0 micro Jy (within three standard deviations) is placed on X-ray emission from V861 Sco during this observation. This effectively removes the secondary from the list of black hole candidates. The presence of a 38 sec pulsar in the region is confirmed, precise (0.63 sq arcmin) positions are given, and a search for the optical counterpart is described.

Armstrong, J. T.↗

Seyfert Type 1 galaxies observed with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

The paper deals with the detection of 16 X-ray sources (1.5 to 13.5 keV) during pointed observations with the HEAO 1 satellite of 19 Seyfert Type 1 (Sy 1) galaxies. For 15 sources, the Sy 1 galaxy nucleus, previously proposed as the X-ray source counterpart, lies within one of the 1 to 5 square arcmin uncertainty regions determined with the HEAO 1 modulation collimator experiment.

Dower, R. G.↗

X-ray quasars

Observational data for the seven quasars or Seyfert-quasar transition objects identified with X-ray sources is reviewed for radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray frequencies. The observational histories of the quasars 3C 273, MR 2251-178 and 0241+622 and the quasar-like Seyfert nuclei Fairall-9, Mk 509, IC 4329A and IIIZw 2 are discussed in detail, and it is noted that their X-ray variability and spectra do not differentiate them from Seyfert nuclei, supporting the similarity between the several types of active extragalactic nuclei. The space density of the six objects (excluding 3C 273) within 600 Mpc is found to be comparable to that of other Seyferts and quasars, suggesting that X-ray emitting objects constitute a substantial fraction of the luminous transition objects in the neighborhood of the Galaxy. It is also pointed out that observations of the X-ray variability of these objects, which indicates that the X-rays originate from compact regions, represent a promising means for the further understanding of the emission process.

Bradt, H. V.↗

3C 273 - X-ray variability, spectrum, and position

Observations of the X-ray source associated with 3C 273 have been carried out from 1.3 to 13.3 keV with the scanning modulation collimator on HEAO 1, yielding several precise positions (0.42 sq arcmin), one of which includes 3C 273. The data show an increase in flux by a factor of at least 3 in 6 months. A substantial low-energy (1.3-2.6 keV) flux during the higher state yields a hydrogen column density of less than 2 x 10 to the 22nd per sq cm and removes a possible X-ray distinction between quasars and other extragalactic nuclei, viz., Seyfert type 1 and BL Lacertae objects. The 90-GHz radio flux decreased during this period (1978.0-1978.5), and the optical flux exhibited increased variability after several years of relative quiescence.

Bradt, H. V.↗

Location of the recurrent /LMC/ X-ray transient A0538-66 with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

Two brief (about 12 hr) X-ray flares from the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud have been observed with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator. It is argued that both originated from the recurrent fast transient A0538-66, first observed with the Ariel 5 satellite. A precise position for the source is obtained, and a B2 Iab star in the Large Magellanic Cloud is suggested as the optical counterpart. Evidence for a 16.66-day periodicity in the outburst times is presented and discussed.

Johnston, M. D.↗

The MIT/OSO 7 catalog of X-ray sources - Intensities, spectra, and long-term variability

This paper is a summary of the observations of the cosmic X-ray sky performed by the MIT 1-40-keV X-ray detectors on OSO 7 between October 1971 and May 1973. Specifically, mean intensities or upper limits of all third Uhuru or OSO 7 cataloged sources (185 sources) in the 3-10-keV range are computed. For those sources for which a statistically significant (greater than 20) intensity was found in the 3-10-keV band (138 sources), further intensity determinations were made in the 1-15-keV, 1-6-keV, and 15-40-keV energy bands. Graphs and other simple techniques are provided to aid the user in converting the observed counting rates to convenient units and in determining spectral parameters. Long-term light curves (counting rates in one or more energy bands as a function of time) are plotted for 86 of the brighter sources.

Markert, T. H.↗

X-rays from the Orion Trapezium

Observations of the Orion Nebula region and the associated X-ray source 4U 0531-05 with the SAS 3 rotation modulation collimators are presented which yield a precise position for a small component of the X-ray source and limit the source to the immediate region of the Trapezium. The reported weighted position has an error radius of 35 arcsec (90% confidence) and lies 9 arcsec from Theta-1 Ori. A 2-11-keV X-ray luminosity of approximately 0.7 x 10 to the 33rd erg/s is inferred for a distance of 460 pc, along with a component diameter of less than 0.3 pc. The existence of an extended component with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.6 pc and a flux density about twice that of the small component is also suggested. Possible sources of the X-ray emission are considered for both components. It is concluded that the two components may be ramifications of the stellar winds emanating from the Trapezium stars and that the small component may simply be a cusp in the larger distribution rather than an independent source.

Bradt, H. V.↗

Positions and identifications of galactic X-ray sources

A catalog of compact Galactic X-ray sources with precise positions is presented together with a large bibliography. The catalog provides available X-ray, optical, and radio data for the 96 compact Galactic sources that have been identified and contains the most precise of the available optical, X-ray, or radio positions, the maximum and minimum published intensities, references to finding charts, and a comprehensive referenced list of X-ray, optical, and radio characteristics. The catalog also includes X-ray sources in the Magellanic clouds as well as all unidentified hard (greater than 2 keV) compact sources with an error radius of less than 60 arcsec and a Galactic latitude of less than 10 deg (absolute value). The sources list includes 14 X-ray Doppler or eclipsing binaries, seven or eight other X-ray pulsators, 23 transients or X-ray novae, 15 persistent bright bulge sources, seven X-ray sources associated with globular clusters, nine bursters, seven Galactic Center sources, and 18 other identified sources.

Bradt, H. V.↗

NGC 2110 - An X-ray/radio galaxy with elliptical morphology

The detection of X-ray emission from NGC 2110, a narrow-emission-line galaxy of apparently elliptical morphology, is reported. A relatively hard 2-11-keV energy spectrum with an index of 0.1 + or - 0.3 is obtained, and the X-ray luminosity in this energy band is shown to be 1.2 x 10 to the 43rd erg/s for the redshift distance of 43 Mpc. Optical and radio observations are discussed which indicate a galactocentric redshift of approximately 0.0071, a resolved nonstellar optical nucleus about 4 arcsec in extent, Seyfert type 2 emission lines from the nucleus, and a nonthermal radio source located 3.0 arcsec from the position of the optical nucleus. No evidence is found for X-ray source variability in NGC 2110. It is suggested that the four to seven known X-ray-emitting high-excitation narrow-emission-line galaxies appear to be nearby examples of the Seyfert type 2 phenomenon and that the elliptical morphology of NGC 2110, if confirmed, may be unique among known Seyfert galaxies.

Bradt, H. V.↗

SS Cygni as a hard X-ray source identified with the scanning modulation collimator on HEAO 1

Hard X-ray emission from a 15 min by 1.5 deg area containing SS Cygni had previously been reported and identified with SS Cygni. This paper reports a 0.4 sq arc min measurement of the position of the X-ray source with the HEAO 1 modulation collimator experiment which leads to an unequivocal identification of SS Cygni as an X-ray emitter in the 2-10 keV energy range. The historical light curve in hard X-rays was also investigated by analyzing relevant Uhuru data, and two instances of possible source detection in the 2-6 keV band were noted. From Ariel 5 observations it is calculated that the X-ray luminosity of SS Cygni in the 2-10 keV energy range is of the order of 10 to the 33rd erg/sec in the optical low state and probably at least an order of magnitude less in the high state. By contrast, the soft X-ray luminosity increases by an order of magnitude between the optical low and high states. A coronal model or accretion onto the white dwarf can account for the inverse correlation of the soft and hard X-rays.

Fabbiano, G.↗

LMC X-1, X-2, and X-3 - Precise positions from the HEAO 1 modulation collimator

Precise (to about 20 arcsec) positions are reported for the Large Magellanic Cloud X-ray sources LMC X-1, X-2, and X-3, determined with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator. The error regions for LMC X-1 and X-3 contain, respectively, the B5 supergiant R148 and a possibly variable B III-IV star. Spectra taken of the latter confirm the spectral type and show that it is a member of the LMC. A search for a previously reported extended component of LMC X-1 yields upper limits which exclude it.

Johnston, M. D.↗

4U0241+61 - A luminous low-redshift QSO

The faint (1.8 micro Jy, 2-11 keV) X-ray QSO 4U0241+61 is considered in terms of its celestial position (galactic latitude = +2.4 plus or minus 30 sec), luminosity (M sub v = -25.8 plus or minus 1.8), redshift (z = 0.0438), and radio emission (0.2-0.5 Jy). Counting rates in two energy channels are presented, and found comparable to the Type 1 Seyfert 3C120. Spectrophotometric calibration to an approximately 8 A resolution was also achieved. Attention is given to the close relation between X-ray emitting QSOs and Seyferts.

Apparao, K. M. V.↗