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Clark, G. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Clark, G. W..

At least 55 records · Page 3
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NASA NTRS1976

Coordinated X-ray optical and radio observations of YZ Canis Minoris

Coordinated X ray, optical, and radio observations of the flare star YZ CMi are reported. Twenty-two minor optical flares and twelve radio events were recorded. No major optical flares, greater than 3 magnitudes, were observed. Although no flare related X ray emission was observed, the measured upper limits in this band enable meaningful comparisons with published flare star models. Three of the five models predicting the relative X ray to optical or radio flare luminosities are in serious disagreement with the observations. For the largest optical flare with coincident X ray coverage, the 3 sigma upper limit on X ray emission in the 0.15 to 0.8 keV band is 8.7 x 10 to the 28th power erg/s, corresponding to a ratio of X ray to B-band luminosity of less than 0.3. Based on the present results, the contribution of the flares UV Ceti flare stars to the galactic component of the diffuse soft X ray background is less than 0.2 percent.

Karpen, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Orbital elements and masses for the SMC X-1/Sanduleak 160 binary system

The binary X-ray source SMC X-1 was observed with the SAS-3 satellite for approximately four days (February 26-29, 1976). Sufficient timing data were obtained on the 0.71 s X-ray pulsations to measure the Doppler velocity curve of the X-ray source and thereby derive orbital and stellar parameters for the system. The projected velocity of the X-ray star is 301.5 plus or minus 2.0 (1 sigma) km/s, and the corresponding mass function is 11.05 plus or minus 0.22 (1 sigma) solar masses. Combining the X-ray timing data with constraints imposed by the X-ray eclipse duration and the available optical data on Sk 160, a range of allowable values of not less than 1.1 and not greater than 4.0 solar masses for the mass of the X-ray star is obtained.

Primini, F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Discovery of X-ray bursts from several sources near the galactic centre

Three X-ray burst sources have been discovered within approximately 0.5 deg of the Galactic center. All bursts from this region show a low-energy cutoff near 3 keV. The bursts from MXB 1743-29 show distinct double and triple peaks; the time interval between bursts from this source was about 1.46 day. The intervals between bursts from MXB 1742-29 and MXB 1743-28 were approximately 0.55 day and 10 min respectively. Steady emission from this collection of burst sources could account for most of the flux from the apparently extended X-ray source GCX (3U 1743-29).

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Discovery of X-ray bursts from two sources in Aquila

Two X-ray burst sources have been discovered in Aquila with the aid of the SAS 3 X-ray Observatory; MXB 1906 + 00 and Aql MXB. The present paper reports on source positions, spectra, time structure, and burst energy. Five bursts were detected from MXB 1906 + 00, and the data are shown to be consistent with the assumption that there was a burst about every 8.9 hr. A comparison of raw counting data for three bursts indicates that the bursts were detected in the energy range from 1.3 to 19 keV and that the spectrum softened during burst decay. The spectrum of the one burst observed from Aql MXB is found not to soften during burst decay. It is suggested that MXB 1906 + 00 and the previously known 'steady' source A 1905 + 00 are very likely to be the same source and that the ratio of time-averaged 'steady' luminosity to time-averaged burst luminosity would be approximately 80.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Evidence for the binary nature of A0535+26

The transient X-ray source A0535+26 was observed extensively with the SAS-3 satellite on two occasions. Sufficient timing data on the 104-s periodicity were obtained to indicate that the pulse period was changing during both of the observations. The possibility that these period changes are intrinsic to the compact star (e.g., due to accretion torques) cannot be completely excluded. However, it is demonstrated that all of the SAS-3 timing data can be explained by orbital motion of the X-ray star about a companion. Constraints are then placed on the orbital elements of the system. The results indicate a model for this source that consists of a neutron star in a long-period orbit (period of at least 17 days) about an OB star with a variable stellar wind.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The discovery of rapidly repetitive X-ray bursts from a new source in Scorpius

Rapidly repetitive X-ray bursts have been observed from a new X-ray source in Scorpius. More than 2000 bursts were observed during the 4-day continual SAS-3 observations of this source designated MXB 1730-335. The time interval between bursts varied from a minimum of about 6 s to a maximum of about 5 minutes. The energy in a given burst is approximately linearly proportional to the time interval to the next burst. The largest bursts observed last for about 60 s and represent an energy release of approximately 10 to the 40th ergs for an assumed distance to the source of 10 kpc. The smallest bursts observed last only for a few seconds. We suggest that the bursts are caused by sporadic precipitations of plasma from a reservoir in the magnetosphere of a neutron star. The reservoir is replenished at a nearly constant rate by mass transferred from a binary companion.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Recurrent brief X-ray bursts from the globular cluster NGC 6624

Observational data are presented on ten brief X-ray bursts, recurrent at nearly equal time intervals, recorded during a two-day observation of 3U 1820-30 in the globular cluster NGC 6624 with the wide-field modulation collimator detectors on the SAS-3 X-ray observatory. The occurrence times were fitted by least squares to a linear sequence with an rms deviation of 621 sec, corresponding to a phase jitter of 3.9%. The bursts were observed in two energy channels. For a sequence of five of the most clearly observed bursts, the 2-6 keV rate rose to its peak value in about 1 sec and then decayed to preburst level in about 10 sec. The 6-11 keV rate rose more slowly and decayed similarly. The smooth decay of their averaged light curve suggests the temporal evolution may have a geometrical origin, where Compton scattering in a surrounding cloud of hot plasma stretches the pulse out and causes a progressive hardening of the spectrum.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Search for X-ray emission from Nova Cygni 1975

A search for X-rays from Nova Cygni 1975 was carried out before, during, and after the time of optical maximum. No X-rays were detected over the spectral range 0.1-50 keV. On the basis of these results a strong upper limit of .0001 has been placed on the ratio of X-ray to optical luminosity for this nova, consistent with effective temperatures of about 10,000 K. If Nova Cygni 1975 is a virgin nova, its low mass exchange rate would imply that any associated X-ray emission would not be detectable by present techniques.

Hoffman, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-7 observations of high galactic latitude X-ray sources

Six hundred days of observations by the X-ray detectors aboard OSO-7 have been analyzed. All-sky maps of X-ray intensity have been constructed from these data. A sample map is displayed. Seven sources with galactic latitude greater than 10 deg, discovered during the mapping process, are reported, and upper limits are set on other high-latitude sources. The OSO-7 results are compared with those of Uhuru, and an implication of this comparison, that many of the high-latitude sources may be variable, is discussed.

Markert, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The transient periodic X-ray source in Taurus, A0535+26

Eighteen X-ray light curves of the 104-sec periodicity in the Taurus X-ray nova A 0535+26 are analyzed which were obtained by SAS-3 in six energy intervals between 1 and 35 keV during the period from May 30 to June 2, 1975. It is shown that the pulse structure is relatively simple at energies above 19 keV, but develops a complex series of five irregularly spaced maxima at lower energies. The energy spectrum averaged over the 104-sec period is found to be extremely hard, with a best-fit temperature of about 30 keV for the exponential spectrum, an excess at about 15 keV, and a steepening above 20 keV. It is suggested that A 0535+26 may be a compact object in a binary system containing the peculiar Be star HDE 245770. The transient behavior could arise due to episodic mass loss by the primary or because the compact object is in a highly eccentric orbit about the companion, with appreciable mass transfer occurring only at periastron.

Bradt, H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-7 observations of the X-ray nova 3U 1543-47

The intensity and spectrum of the transient X-ray source 3U 1543-47 were measured by X-ray detectors on the OSO-7 satellite on 13 occasions between November 1971 and December 1972. The results, together with observations of the same object by the Vela and Uhuru satellites, can be described in terms of four qualitatively distinct phases in the X-ray light curve: (1) outburst; (2) relatively steady intensity and spectrum; (3) rapid decrease in intensity and decrease in apparent temperature; and (4) irregular intensity fluctuations with complex spectra. The term 'X-ray nova' is proposed to characterize this and similar transient sources, and a new model for such X-ray novae is proposed.

Li, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

X-ray nova A0620-00 - Celestial position and low-energy flux

The X-ray nova A0620-00 (Nova Monocerotis 1975) has been observed with the SAS-3 satellite. The 1-10 keV intensity was observed to increase by a factor of 2.3 from August 8 to August 11, 1975. It reached and maintained a constant intensity of 1.7 by 10 to the -6 power erg/sq cm/sec from August 11 to August 13. Limits on periodicities of not more than 2 per cent of the power were obtained for periods from 0.2 ms to 435 s. A precise position was obtained with the SAS-3 modulation collimators on August 15. This led directly to optical and radio identifications. Observations with the SAS-3 low-energy concentrator system on August 27 showed an intense 0.4-0.8 keV flux emanating from the nova. A hydrogen column density of 3.5 (plus or minus 0.3) by 10 to the 21st power per sq cm was inferred from these data.

Doxsey, R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

MX 1313+29 - A compact source of very low energy X-rays in Coma Berenices

A compact X-ray source near the North Galactic Pole has been detected with the low-energy X-ray telescope aboard the SAS-3 satellite. The spectral temperature of the source is less than 1 million K, and the energy flux at the earth is 3 by 10 to the -10th power erg/sq cm/sec above 0.1 keV. The flux appeared to be constant both on short time scales (10-1000 s), and over the interval from the first SAS-3 observation (June 12, 1975) to the latest (July 15, 1975). The possible identification of this source with the hot white dwarf HZ 43 is discussed.

Hearn, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

X-ray binaries in globular clusters

It appears to be very unlikely that primordial binaries in globular clusters have evolved to produce high-luminosity X-ray sources like the four variable sources detected by the Uhuru and OSO-7 satellites. It is suggested that the cluster X-ray sources are binaries formed by capture from the remnants of massive single stars that exploded with sufficient isotropy to remain bound in the cluster. These remnants have lurked near the centers of the clusters where the high stellar densities have favored their capture of field stars which eventually turn the remnants on as X-ray sources when the captives enter the post-main-sequence expansion phase of their evolution. A case is made for the conclusion that there is approximately one potential binary X-ray source near the center of each of the globular clusters.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Observations of variable X-ray sources in globular clusters

The discovery is reported of a variable X-ray source at midgalactic latitude in the globular cluster NGC 1851, and observations are reported which confirm the existence of variable X-ray sources in NGC 7078 and NGC 6441. The new source, designated MX 0513-40, was found to vary in intensity by a factor of at least 5 over a sixteen-day period and to have a hard spectrum as compared to that of the Crab Nebula in the energy range from 1 to 10 keV. The source in NGC 7078 (3U 2131+11) was found to vary by more than a factor of 2 over a 500-day period. Strong evidence of variability is presented for the source in NGC 6441 (3U 1746-37). It is concluded that both MX 0513-40 and 3U 2131+11 are probably stellar objects and are no more than about 160 kpc distant.

Clark, G. W.↗