Engineering topics

Finger, Mark H.

Publications and source records attributed to Finger, Mark H..

At least 55 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1999

The Outbursts and Orbit of the Accreting Pulsar GS 1843 - 02 = 2S 1845 - 024

We present observations of a series of 10 outbursts of pulsed hard X-ray flux from the transient 10.6 mHz accreting pulsar GS 1843-02, using the Burst and Transient Source Experiment on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. These outbursts occurred regularly every 242 days, coincident with the ephemeris of the periodic transient GRO J1849-03, which has recently been identified with the SAS 3 source 2S 1845-024. Our pulsed detection provides the first clear identification of GS 1843-02 with 2S 1845-024. We present a pulse timing analysis that shows that the 2S 1845-024 outbursts occur near the periastron passage of the neutron star's highly eccentric (e = 0.88 +/- 0.01) 242.18 +/- 0.01 day period binary orbit about a high-mass (M(sub c) greater than 7 solar mass) companion. The orbit and transient outburst pattern strongly suggest that the pulsar is in a binary system with a Be star. Our observations show a long-term spin-up trend, with most of the spin-up occurring during the outbursts. From the measured spin-up rates and inferred luminosities we conclude that an accretion disk is present during the outbursts.

Finger, Mark H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer Observations of the Anomalous Pulsar 4U 0142+61

We observed the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61 using the Proportional Counter Array on board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer in 1996 March. The pulse frequency was measured as v = 0.11510039(3) Hz, with an upper limit of absolute value of the first derivative of v <= 4 x 10(exp -13) Hz/s on the short-term change in frequency over the 4.6 day span of the observations. A compilation of all historical measurements showed an overall spin-down trend with slope first derivative of v = -3.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(exp -14) Hz/s. Searches for orbital modulations in pulse arrival times yielded an upper limit of a(sub x) sin i approximately < 0.26 lt-s (99% confidence) for the period range 70 s to 2.5 days. These limits combined with previous optical limits and evolutionary arguments suggest that 4U 0142+61 is probably not a member of a binary system.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Recent Outbursts from the Transient X-Ray Pulsar Cepheus X-4 (GS 2138 + 56)

We report on X-ray observations of the 66 s period transient X-ray pulsar Cep X-4 (GS 2138+56) with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Two outbursts from Cep X-4 were observed with BATSE in 1993 June-July and in 1997 July. Pulse frequencies of v = 15.0941 + or - 0.0002 mHz on 1993 June 25 (MJD 49,163) and v = 15.0882 + or - 0.0002 mHz on 1997 July 12 (MJD 50,641) were each measured from 2-day spans of BATSE data near each outburst's peak. Cep X-4 showed an average spin down rate of dot-v = (-4.14 + or - 0.08) x 10(exp -14) Hz s(exp -1) between the 1993 and 1997 outbursts. After BATSE could no longer detect Cep X-4, public observations were performed on 1997 July 18 and July 25 with the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) on RXTE. A pulse frequency of v = 15.088 + or - 0.004 mHz was measured from observations on 1997 July 18 (MJD 50,647). Significant aperiodic noise, with an rms variance of about 18% in the frequency range 0.01 - 1.0 Hz, was observed on both days. Energy- and intensity-dependent pulse shape variations were also seen in these data. Recently published optical observations associate Cep X-4 with a Be companion star. If all four outbursts observed from Cep X-4 are assumed to occur at the same orbital phase, we find that the orbital period is between 23 and 147.3 days.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Discovery of a Magnetar Associated with the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900 + 14

The soft-gamma repeater (SGR) 1900 + 14 became active again on June 1998 after a long period of quiescence; it remained at a low state of activity until August 1998, when it emitted a series of extraordinarily intense outbursts. We have observed the source with RXTE twice, during the onset of each active episode. We confirm the pulsations at the 5.16 s period reported earlier from SCR 1900 + 14 . Here we report the detection of a secular spindown of the pulse period at an average rate of 1.1 x 10(exp -10) s/s. In view of the strong similarities between SGRs, we attribute the spindown of SGR 1900 + 14 to magnetic dipole radiation, possibly accelerated by a quiescent flux, as in the case of SGR 1806 - 20. This allows an estimate of the pulsar dipolar magnetic field, which is 2 - 8 x 10(exp 14) G. Our results confirm that SGRs are magnetars.

Kouveliotou, Chryssa↗

NASA NTRS1999

Orbit Determination for the Be/X-Ray Transient EXO 2030+375

The Be/X-ray binary transient pulsar EXO 2030+375 has been observed during twenty-two outbursts over four years (1991-1994) using the large area detectors (LADs) of the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO). Thirteen outbursts between 1992 February and 1993 August occurred regularly at -46 day intervals, close to the orbital period determined using EXOSAT data. EXOSAT discovered this pulsar during, a "giant" outburst in 1985 May. All BATSE outbursts were "normal" type. Pulse phases derived from the thirteen consecutive outbursts were fit to two different models to determine a binary orbit. A summary of the results are presented here.

Stollberg, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Discovery of a New Soft Gamma Repeater, SGR 1627-41

We report the discovery of a new soft gamma repeater (SGR), SGR 1627-41, and present BATSE observations of the burst emission and BeppoSAX NFI observations of the probable persistent X-ray counterpart to this SGR. All but one burst spectrum are well fit by an optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung (OTTB) model with kT values between 25 and 35 keV. The spectrum of the X-ray counterpart, SAX J1635.84736, is similar to that of other persistent SGR X-ray counterparts. We find weak evidence for a periodic signal at 6.41 s in the light curve for this source. Like other SGRs, this source appears to be associated with a young supernova remnant G337.0-0.1. Based upon the peak luminosities of bursts observed from this SGR, we find a lower limit on the dipole magnetic field of the neutron star B_dipole greater than 5e10(exp 14) Gauss.

Woods, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1999

BeppoSAX Observations of the SGR 1900+14 in Quiescence and During an Active Period

We present results from two Beppo SAX Narrow Field Instrument (NFI) observations of SGR-1900+14 made during a quiescent and an active period of the source. We detect pulsations in the 1997 May 12-13 observation (quiescence) at 5.157190(7) sec and the 1998 September 15-16 observation (active period) at 5.16026](12) sec. Using results reported by Hurley et al. (1999a), we establish a long-term spin down rate during quiescence of 5.82(2)-approx. times 10(exp -11) s/s which implies a dipole magnetic field of sim 5.5 approx. times 10(exp 14) G. We confirm deviations from a constant spin down rate during the active period. We also find spectral similarities between SGR-1900+14 in quiescence and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs).

Woods, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1999

Coherence between QPOs in X-Ray Pulsars

Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of Cen X-3 and 4U 1626 have shown that when a low frequency (upsilon(sub qpo) approx. 50 mHz) Quazi-Periodic Oscillation (QPO) is presented in the power spectrum of these sources, smaller QPOs also appear in the upper and lower sidebands of the spin frequency upsilon(sub s), and in the sidebands of the spin frequency harmonics. This is expected if the QPO is a modulation in the accretion rate.However, the QPO in the lower sideband of the spin frequency (upsilon = upsilon(sub s) - upsilon(sub qpo)) is stronger than the QPO in the upper sideband (upsilon = upsilon(sub s) + upsilon(sub qpo)), which is not consistent with pure acretion rate modulation. I will present a method for measuring the phase coherent between the main QPO and any of the sideband QPOs, and apply this to RXTE observations. Preliminary results for Cen X-3 show that the QPO in the lower sideband of the spin frequency is highly coherent with the main QPO, while the QPO in the upper sideband is not. Implications for possible QPO mechanisms will be discussed.

Finger, Mark H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

On the Variable Spin-Down of SGR 1900+14

We consider the physical implications of the rapid spindown of Soft Gamma Repeater 1900+14 reported in a companion paper by Woods et al. During an 80 day interval between June 1998 and the large outburst on August 27, 1998, the mean spin-down rate increased by a factor 2.3 resulting in a positive period offset of delta P/P = 1 X 10(exp -4)/ A radiation hydrodynamical outflow associated with the August 27 event could impart the required torque, but only if the dipole magnetic field is stronger than about 10(exp 14) G and the outflow lasts longer than the observed X-ray flare. A positive period increment is also a natural consequence of a gradual plastic deformation of the neutron star crust by an intense magnetic field. Finally, we discuss the relative stability of the long term spin-down rate of SGR 1900+14, and compare the relative spindown rates of the SGRs and the Anomalous X-ray Pulsars.

Thompson, Christopher↗

NASA NTRS1999

Variable Spin-Down in the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14 and Correlations with Burst Activity

We have analyzed Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Proportional Counter Array observation of the pulsed emission from SGR 1900+14 during September 1996, June-October 1998, and early 1999. Using these measurements and results reported elsewhere. we construct a period history of this source for 2.5 years. We find significant deviations from a steady spin-down trend during quiescence and the burst active interval. Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) observations of the burst emission are presented and correlations between the burst activity and spin-down rate of SGR 1900 + 14 are discussed. We find an 80 day interval during the summer of 1998 when the average spin-down rate is larger than the rate elsewhere by a factor of about 2.3. This enhanced spin-down may, be the result of a discontinuous spin-down event or "braking glitch" at the time of the giant flare on 27 August 1998. Furthermore find a large discrepancy between the pulsar period and average spin-down rate in X-rays as compared to radio observation for December 1998 and January 1999.

Woods, Peter M.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Detection of X-Ray Pulsations from the Be/X-Ray Transient A 0535+26 During a Disc Loss Phase of the Primary

Using the RossiXTE experiment, we detect weak X-ray emission from the recurrent Be/X-ray transient A 0535+26 at a time when the optical counterpart V725 Tau displayed H.alpha in absorption, indicating the absence of a circumstellar disc. The X-ray radiation is strongly modulated at the 103.5-s pulse period of the neutron star, confirming that it originates from A 0535+26. The source is weaker than in previous quiescence detections by two orders of magnitude and should be in the centrifugal inhibition regime. We show that the X-ray luminosity cannot be due to accretion on to the magnetosphere of the neutron star. Therefore this detection represents a new state of the accreting pulsar. We speculate that the X-ray emission can be due to some matter leaking through the magnetospheric barrier or thermal radiation from the neutron star surface due to crustal heating. The detection of the X-ray source in the inhibition regime implies a reduced density in the outflow from the Be companion during its disc-less phase.

Negueruela, Ignacio↗

NASA NTRS1998

XTE J1550-564

A quasiperiodic oscillation (QPO) in the flux of this transient x-ray source is seen in power spectra of the BATSE 20-50-keV discriminator rates. On Sept. 9.0 UT, the QPO was centered on 271 +/- 2 mHz, and it had a FWHM of 30 +/- 5 mHz and a fractional rms of 19.2 +/- 2.5 percent. The QPO was first detected on Sept. 7.45 near 55 mHz and has been steadily increasing in frequency, reaching 350 mHz by Sept. 9.3. The QPO appears to have reached the Nyquist frequency (488 mHz) of our discriminator rates before the end of Sept. 9, and is no longer detectable in them.

Finger, Mark H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Discovery of the 198 Second X-Ray Pulsar GRO J2058+42

GRO J2058+42, a transient 198 s X-ray pulsar, was discovered by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) during a "giant" outburst in 1995 September-October. The total flux peaked at about 300 mcrab (20-50 keV) as measured by Earth occultation. The pulse period decreased from 198 to 196 s during the 46 day outburst. The pulse shape evolved over the course of the outburst and exhibited energy-dependent variations. BATSE observed five additional weak outbursts from GRO J2058 + 42, each with a 2 week duration and a peak-pulsed flux of about 15 mcrab (20-50 keV), that were spaced by about 110 days. An observation of the 1996 November outburst by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) proportional counter array (PCA) localized the source to within a 4 s radius error circle (90% confidence) centered on R.A. = 20h 59m.0, decl. = 41 deg 43 s (J2000). Additional shorter outbursts with peak-pulsed fluxes of about 8 mcrab were detected by BATSE halfway between the first four 15 mcrab outbursts. The RXTE All-Sky Monitor detected all eight weak outbursts with approximately equal durations and intensities. GRO J2058 + 42 is most likely a Be/X-ray binary that appears to outburst at periastron and apastron, No optical counterpart has been identified to date, and no X-ray source was present in the error circle in archival ROSAT observations.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Outburst from 4U 1145-619: A Transient X-Ray Pulsar

4U 1145-619, a 293 second Be/X-ray pulsar, was discovered with Uhuru (Forman 1978, ApJS, 38, 357) and first identified as a pulsar in 1977 with Ariel V (White 1978, Nature, 274, 664). From 1991 to 1998, BATSE observed 4U 1145-619 in a series of 12 periodic outbursts, each with durations of 8-30 days. Combining these data with previously published results yielded an outburst ephemeris of T(sub out) = MJD 448871.s (+/- 0.6) +/- 186.68 (+/- 0.05)E(sub out), Where T(sub out) is the time of peak intensity and E(sub out) is the cycle number. Most outbursts occur within phases +/- 0.1 of the outburst ephemeris. Pulse frequency measurements were consistent with a long-term average frequency derivative of the first derivative of v = -3 x 10(exp -14) Hz/s. Most outbursts reached peak total fluxes of approximately equal 100 mCrab (20-50 keV) and had 20-50 keV r.m.s. pulse fractions of about 30%. (A pulse fraction of 70% was observed for one outburst). Two outbursts reached 20-50 keV peak total fluxes of 550 mCrab, but had very different 20-50 keV pulse fractions of about 30% and about 50%. Three outbursts with peak total fluxes of 120, 134, and 180 mCrab, had r.m.s. pulse fractions of about 28%, 34%, and 52%. During the brightest 3 outbursts observed with BATSE, the pulse frequency increased. Fainter outbursts observed with BATSE appeared to reach peak intensity at a later phase (relative to the ephemeris) than brighter outbursts, and were typically not detectable at the expected times of peak intensity. The pulse profile showed significant intensity and energy dependent pulse shape variations. We present histories of pulse frequency, 20-50 keV intensity, and pulse profiles.

Wilson, Colleen↗

NASA NTRS1998

BATSE Observations and Orbit Determination of the Be/X-Ray Transient EXO 2030+375

The Be/X-ray binary transient pulsar EXO 2030+375 (P(sub s) approx equal 42 s) has been observed with the large area detectors (LADs) of the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO). Beginning in May 1991, twenty-two outbursts were observed over four years. Thirteen outbursts between February 1992 and August 1993 occurred consecutively at intervals of approx equal 46 days, close to the orbital period determined by Parmar et al. (1989) using EXOSAT data. The pulse profiles from the BATSE data are double-peaked and show no significant energy or luminosity dependence, unlike the EXOSAT observations of May-August 1985. An exponential model was used to fit the observed hard X-ray energy spectra from the thirteen consecutive outbursts. When EXOSAT discovered this pulsar during a giant outburst in May 1985, the X-ray luminosity peaked at L(sub x) = 1.0 x 10(esp 38) erg/ s (1-20 keV), assuming a 5 kpc distance to the source. The BATSE outbursts are found to be weaker 0.3 x 10(exp 37) less than or equal to L(sub x)(I-20 keV) less than or equal to 3.0 x 10(exp 37) erg/ s after extrapolating the observed flux (20-50 keV) to the EXOSAT energy band. Pulse phases derived from the thirteen outbursts were fit to two different models to determine a binary orbit. The new orbit is used to estimate 95% confidence limits for the mean peak spin frequency change during the out- bursts observed with BATSE. This, and the mean peak flux, are compared to the spin-up rates and fluxes determined by EXOSAT from the 1985 giant outburst, where disk accretion was thought to have occurred. It is unclear if these normal outbursts were driven by wind or disk accretion.

Strollberg, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Recent Outbursts from the Transient X-Ray Pulsar Cep X-4 (GS 2138+56)

We report on X-ray observations of the 66 s period transient X-ray pulsar Cep X-4 (GS 2138+56) with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) and with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Two outbursts from Cep X-4 were observed with BATSE in 1993 June-July and 1997 July. Spin periods of P(sub spin) = 66.2510 +/- 0.0009 s on 1993 June 25 (MJD 49,163) and P(sub spin) = 66.27 68 +/- 0.0007 s on 1997- July 12 (MJD 50,641) were each measured from 2 day spans of BATSE data near each outburst's peak. Cep X-4 showed an average spin down rate of P/P = (8.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(exp -5)/ yr between the 1993 and 1997 outbursts. After BATSE could no longer detect Cep X-4, public observations were performed on 1997 July 18 & 25 with the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) on RXTE. A spin period Of P(sub spin) = 66.28 +/- 0.02 s was measured from observations on 1997 July 18 (MJD 50,647). Significant aperiodic noise, with an rms variance of approx. 18% in the frequency range 0.01 - 1.0 Hz was observed on both days. Energy and intensity dependent pulse shape variations were also seen in these data. Recently published optical observations associate Cep X-4 with a Be companion star.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

The Outbursts and Orbit of the Accreting Pulsar GS 1843-02=2S 1845-024

We present observations of a series of 10 transient outbursts of pulsed hard x-ray flux from the 10.6 mHz accreting pulsar GS 1843-02 using the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Observatory. These outbursts occurred regularly every 242 days, coincident with the ephemeris of the periodic transient GRO J1849-03 (Zhang et al. 1996)), which has recently been identified with the the SAS 3 source 2S 1845-024 (Soffitta et al. 1998). Our pulsed detection provides the first clear identification of GS 1843-02 with 2S 1845-024. We present a pulse timing analysis which shows that the 2S 1845-024 outbursts occur near the periastron passage of a highly eccentric (e = 0.88 q 0.01) 242.18 +/- 0.01 day period binary orbit about a high mass (M(sub opt) > 7 solar mass companion. The orbit and transient outburst pattern suggest a Be star/X-ray pulsar system, however the optical companion is unknown. Our observations show a long-term spin-up trend, with most of the spin-up occurring during the outbursts. From the measured spin-up rates and inferred mass accretion rates we conclude that an accretion disk is present during the outbursts.

Finger, Mark H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

RXTE Observations of the Anomalous Pulsar 4U 0142+61

We observed the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+6l using the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) aboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) in March 1996. The pulse frequency was measured as epsilon = 0.11510039(3) Hz with an upper limit of |epsilon| </= 4 x 10(exp -13) Hz s(exp -1) upon the short term change in frequency over the 4.6 day span of the observations. A compilation of all historical measurements showed an overall spin-down trend with slope epsilon = -3.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(exp -14) Hz s(exp -1). Searches for orbital modulations in pulse arrival times yielded an upper limit of a(sub x) sin i approximately less than 0.26 It-s (99% confidence) for the period range 70 s to 2.5 days. These limits combined with previous optical limits and evolutionary arguments suggest that 4U 0142+61 is not a member of a binary system.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗