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Middleditch, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Middleditch, J..

26 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

4U 1626-67 - A prograde spinning X-ray pulsar in a 2500 s binary system

The binary period of 4U 1626-67 was found from an analysis of its optical pulsations. A single lower frequency sideband of the 2.4% amplitude 7.68-s optical pulsations from this X-ray pulsar was detected on at least three different nights in Fourier transforms of high-speed photometry obtained with the CTIO 4 m telescope. The 0.42% sidelobe pulsations have a frequency which is 0.4011(2) mHz lower than the frequency of the direct pulsations near 130.26 mHz. The weaker sidelobe pulsations are interpreted as arising from X-ray to optical reprocessing on the companion star and are shifted to the lower frequency by the rotation frequency of the binary orbit because the X-ray pulsar spins in the same sense as the orbital motion (direct or prograde).

Middleditch, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A 5.57 hr modulation in the optical counterpart of 2S 1822-371

A periodic 5.57 hr modulation has been observed in the optical counterpart of the X-ray source 2S 1822-371. Two alternative periods are consistent with the data: P = 0.232114d and P = 0.232191d, with statistical uncertainties of 0.000015d in each case. Minimum light occurred at JD 2,444,105.668 + or - 0.005. The amplitude of the modulation is about 1 mag, independent of UBV color, and no variability exceeding the 2% level other than the 5.57 hr effect is found on time scales down to a few seconds. The light curve of the star can be understood in terms of a highly inclined close binary system which contains a relatively large, luminous accretion disk that is periodically occulted by a companion star and an associated gas stream. On the assumption that the companion is a main-sequence star, the distance of the system is found to be more than 600 pc, based on the absence of color variations commensurate with the 5.57 hr intensity cycle.

Mason, K. O.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An optical burst from the star identified with the X-ray source 2S1254-690

High time-resolution photometry of the proposed optical counterpart (Star 30) of the X-ray source 2S1254-690 is reported here. An event of high statistical significance was observed from the star that has all the temporal characteristics of an X-ray burst (see, for example, ref. 3). 2S1254-690 has not previously been identified as an X-ray burst source, but its optical counterpart shows properties in common with this class of objects. We also derive the X-ray spectrum of 2S1254-690 using data obtained with the HEAO 1 satellite. The spectrum can be fit in the energy range 0.18-30 keV by a power law of photon index -2.5, modified by interstellar absorption.

Mason, K. O.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The evolution of rapid oscillations in an outburst of a dwarf nova

High-speed photometric observations of the dwarf nova AH Her on nine consecutive days during an outburst have been made, and rapid coherent oscillations on every day except two near maximum light have been detected. The period, amplitude, and luminosity for each day is presented and the progression of the periods is discussed.

Hildebrand, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

2A 0526-328 - An X-ray-emitting cataclysmic variable

The weak hard X-ray source 2A 0526-328 is identified with a previously unknown cataclysmic variable on the basis of its optical emission-line spectrum and a precise X-ray location. This star has a V magnitude of about 11 and spectral properties similar to dwarf novae at minimum light and AM Her, but shows no polarization. It is likely to be a Z Camelopardalis-type system in a very extended standstill (i.e., 'novalike' or UX Ursae Majoris-type) or a recurrent nova that has not erupted in recent times.

Charles, P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Optical and X-ray observations of the PSR 1913 + 16 field

We have obtained medium-resolution spectra in the yellow of seven stars in the error box of the binary radio pulsar PSR 1913 + 16, using the image-tube scanner at the Lick 3-m telescope. None of the objects is spectroscopically abnormal and thus a strong candidate for membership in the system. The data are used to establish the extinction in the field, which is modest for this low galactic latitude. For three of the stars, limits of the order V exceeding 23 mag on optical pulsations with the frequency of the radio pulsar are derived. X-ray observations of the field have been obtained in the 2.5-7.5 keV band, using the UCL experiment aboard OAO Copernicus. No source is detected, with a 2 sigma upper limit on the time-averaged flux of 1.0 times 10 to the -10th power ergs per sq cm per sec.

Davidsen, A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Identification of the X-ray pulsar in Hercules: A new optical pulsar

A series of photographic, photoelectric, and spectroscopic observations beginning June 1, 1972 has led to the optical identification of Her X-1 (2U 1705 + 34), a pulsed X-ray source in an eclipsing binary system, with the thirteenth magnitude blue variable star HZ Herculis. The detection of optical pulses at the frequency of the X-ray pulsar on three nights makes the identification conclusive and establishes HZ Her as the second known optical pulsar. The strength of the optical pulses may be correlated with the orbital phase but is not obviously related to the high or low intensity states of the X-ray source.

Davidsen, A.↗