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Giacconi, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Giacconi, R..

At least 55 records · Page 3
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NASA NTRS1973

The X-ray structure of the Vela X region observed from Uhuru.

The X-ray source 2U 0832-45 in the Vela X region is centered on the pulsar PSR 0833-45 and is less than 1.2 deg in extent. Weak X-ray emission is seen from two other localized regions within the radio complex, but the diffuse emission of the Vela X-ray nebula seen below 2 keV is not detected in the Uhuru energy range. We consider it likely that the X-ray source at the pulsar is being excited by the rotational energy loss of the pulsar.

Kellogg, E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The number-intensity distribution of X-ray sources observed by Uhuru.

The Uhuru catalog of X-ray sources is used to analyze the number versus apparent-intensity relation of X-ray objects, by constructing (log N, log S)-plots similar to those used in radio astronomy. The source number distribution is corrected for nonuniform sky coverage of the spacecraft. Two distinct distributions for objects at low (less than 20 deg) and high (more than 20 deg) galactic latitude are discussed. The distribution for low galactic latitude objects (which are mainly galactic) gives further information on their location within the Galaxy and their intrinsic luminosity. The distribution for high-latitude objects is consistent with an extragalactic origin of these sources. Evidence from the longitudinal distribution of these objects is used to further demonstrate their extragalactic nature.

Matilsky, T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Evidence for the binary nature of 2U 1700-37.

Analysis of Uhuru data on the X-ray source 2U 1700-37 has revealed the presence of regular occultations. The period is 3.4 days with an occultation duration of 1.1 days. The source is highly variable on a time scale of minutes. Significant intensity variations have also been observed on a time scale of 0.1 second with a 3 sigma upper limit of 17 percent on the percentage periodically pulsed. The energy spectrum is flat and shows a large amount of low-energy absorption. The data indicate that 2U 1700-37 is an X-ray source in a binary system. The 6.6-mag O7f star HD 153919 is suggested as the optical candidate.-

Jones, C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The Uhuru catalog of X-ray sources.

A catalog of X-ray sources observed with the Uhuru satellite is presented. About 70 days of data have been analyzed for this catalog resulting in 125 sources. Approximately two-thirds of the sources are located within plus or minus 20 deg of the galactic plane. Some of the sources at higher galactic latitudes are identified with known extragalactic objects. Most of the strong sources near the galactic plane are found to be variable.

Giacconi, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Observations of the extended X-ray sources in the Perseus and Coma clusters from Uhuru.

The X-ray source in Perseus identified as NGC 1275 is found to have a finite angular extent of about 35 arc minutes. The improved location of the center of the emission is consistent with NGC 1275. An improved location for the center of the Coma X-1 source is consistent both with the kinematic center of the cluster and with NGC 4874. These extended sources - Coma, Perseus, and the source in the Virgo cluster - may be a new class of X-ray objects associated with active galaxies in rich clusters.

Forman, W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Discovery of the binary nature of SMC X-1 from Uhuru.

The X-ray source in the Small Magellanic Cloud SMC X-1 was observed by Uhuru on numerous occasions from December 1970 through April 1972. As previously reported by Leong et al. (1971), the source was seen to be variable. It was found that SMC X-1 occults with a period of 3.8927 days. The energy spectrum is cut off at low energies and flat. There is no large-amplitude periodic pulsation. The luminosity observed makes the binary source SMC X-1 comparable in strength to both the stronger galactic sources and the discrete sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Schreier, E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Observations of Cygnus X-3 by Uhuru.

Report on the X-ray intensity observations of Cygnus X-3 performed with the aid of the X-ray satellite, Uhuru, before and during the radio flare of early September 1972. An analysis of 32 transits of the source, obtained during the period August 19 to September 6, is presented. There is no indication of an intensity change coincident with the radio flare. It is concluded that whatever precipitated the radio flare did not have a significant impact on the X-ray emitting region. Other characteristics of Cyg X-3 are also discussed.

Parsignault, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

LOXT mirror design study

The final report for the large orbiting X-ray telescope (LOXT) high resolution mirror design study is presented. The following tasks were performed: (1) Generation of a reference and alternate preliminary design for the LOXT high resolution mirror assembly, which will meet the LOXT scientific requirements, and are within the present state of the art of materials and fabrication techniques. (2) Measurement, in X-rays, of the scattering properties of a variety of optical flats, embodying materials, coatings, and polishing techniques which might be applicable to the flight configuration LOXT high resolution mirror. (3) Preparation of a procurement specification for a paraboloid test mirror of the size of the innermost paraboloid of the high resolution mirror assembly, including the design requirements for the reference design evolved from this preliminary design study. The results of the engineering and scientific analysis and the conclusions drawn are presented. The procurement specification for the test mirror is included.

Vanspeybroeck, L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Discovery of a periodic pulsating binary X-ray source in Hercules from Uhuru.

We have discovered a new pulsating X-ray source with a 1.24-sec period in the constellation Hercules. Analysis of 5 months of data has shown the existence of periodic variations in the intensity of the source and correlated sinusoidal variations in the period of the 1.24-sec pulsations. As in the case of the pulsating X-ray source Cen X-3, we interpret this effect as due to an occulting binary system, with the intensity changes due to occultation of the X-ray source by its companion and with the sinusoidal variations in the period of the 1.24-sec pulsations due to the Doppler effect. In addition, we have observed a longer-time scale cycle in which the source is bright and pulsing for approximately 9 days during which we can observe the 1.7-day occulting, followed by approximately 27 days during which the source is not detected above background on individual 20-sec scans.

Tananbaum, H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The extended X-ray source at M87.

It is shown that the X-ray source in Virgo must be intimately associated with the galaxy M87, as evidenced by the coincidence of the source centroid location with the galaxy. Although the presented results do not completely explain the origin of the X rays from the Virgo cluster, they do indicate that the bulk of the emission does not come from the nucleus or the jet, and they also indicate the presence of strong energy processes in a region surrounding M87. One view of the origin of these X rays is that they are due to relativistic electrons ejected from M87, and interacting with magnetic or radiation fields in intergalactic space by the synchrotron of inverse Compton process. The other view holds that the X rays could be due to thermal emission from a hot plasma.

Kellogg, E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A new transient source observed by Uhuru.

A strong X-ray source appeared sometime between March 25 and August 17, 1971. On August 23, its intensity, as observed by the Uhuru satellite, was about twice that of the Crab Nebula, corresponding to about 3 times 10 to the -8th power ergs per sq cm per sec, in the range 2-6 keV. On December 20, 1971, its intensity had declined to one-tenth of that value in the same energy range. Its spectrum was quite steep, and fit a power law with an average energy spectral index of 3.0. The variation of X-ray intensity over a 5-month period shows qualitative differences from the previously observed transient X-ray sources, Cen XR-2 and Cen XR-4.

Matilsky, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

X-ray emission from rich clusters of galaxies.

Evaluation of the newly published Uhuru catalog, revealing significant number of rich clusters associated with X-ray sources. Combined with earlier observations of X-ray emission from the Virgo, Coma, and Perseus clusters, this suggests that most, if not all, rich clusters include an X-ray emission region of large size and of net luminosity from 10 to the 43rd to 10 to the 44th ergs/sec.

Gursky, H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Evidence for the binary nature of Centaurus X-3 from Uhuru X-ray observations.

Analysis of data spanning a year of observations of the pulsating X-ray source Cen X-3 from Uhuru has revealed the existence of periodic variations in intensity of the source and correlated sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations. We interpret this effect as due to an occulting binary system. The changes in intensity are then due to occultation of the X-ray source by a large massive companion, and the sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations are due to Doppler effect. Physical parameters for the system are derived, and evidence for the existence and nature of an extended atmosphere surrounding the massive occulting object is discussed.

Schreier, E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Advances in high energy astronomy from space

Observational techniques, derived through space technology, and examples of what can be learned from X-ray observations of a few astronomical objects are given. Astronomical phenomena observed include the sun, stellar objects, and galactic objects.

Giacconi, R.↗
NASA NTRS1971

X-ray emission from the Magellanic Clouds observed by Uhuru.

Description of three sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud and one in the Small Cloud which have been discovered by Uhuru. These sources each emit about 10 to the 38th erg/sec in the 2- to 7-keV band, and they account for more than 90% of the total emission from the Clouds. The source in the Small Cloud shows time variability on time scales of hours.

Leong, C.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Further observations of the pulsating X-ray source Cygnus X-1 from Uhuru.

Since the discovery of the pulsations from the X-ray source Cygnus X-1 more data from Uhuru have been analyzed. The conclusions reached about the temporal behavior of the source are described. Large fluctuations of intensity exist on all observed time scales ranging from 50 msec to 10 sec containing up to 50 per cent of the power. Periodic pulse trains with periods from 0.3 sec to over 10 sec exist containing 10-25 per cent of the power; however, they persist only for several seconds or several tens of seconds. No single period is consistently present. This behavior is shown to reconcile the apparently contradictory results obtained by other observers. The energy spectrum of the source is best fitted by a power law, but with great variability in the spectral index and with an excess of flux at higher energies.

Schreier, E.↗