Engineering topics

Strickman, M. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Strickman, M. S..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1997

Two gamma-ray spectral classes of black hole transients

The observation of seven transient black hole candidates by the oriented scintillation spectrometer experiment (OSSE) is reviewed: GRO J0422+32; GX 339-4; GRS 1716-249; GRS 1009-45; 4U 1543-47; GRO J1655-40, and GRS 1915+105. Two gamma ray spectral classes are apparent. The former three objects show Comptonized spectra with exponential cutoff at approximately 100 keV, while the latter four have fairly soft power law spectra. The Comptonized spectra appear to be associated with the X-ray low state, while the power law spectra appear to be associated with the X-ray high state.

Grove, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1995

OSSE observations of 3C 273

We report results of multiple observations of the quasar 3C 273 with the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. These observations span the period from 1991 June through 1993 January and represent the most sensitive observations to date in low-energy gamma rays. The source was detected at historically weak 100 keV fluxes compared with previous measurements. Variability by factors of approximately 3 on timescales of approximately equal 2 months was observed in the energy band 50-150 keV. The data are well described by a single power law with a proton number index Gamma = 1.7 +/- 0.1. No significant change of Gamma was observed during changes in intensity. Thermal models do not provide acceptable fits to the data. When the OSSE data are combined with contemporaneous measurements by COMPTEL and EGRET, the spectrum is seen to break at an energy of 1.0(+0.9, -0.4) MeV to a softer power law with Delta Gamma = 0.7(+0.06, -0.11), forming a power law with Gamma = 2.4 between approximately 1 MeV and several GeV.

Johnson, W. N.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Observations of a large flare in GX 1+4 with the Compton gamma ray observatory

The pulsating X-ray binary GX 1+4 (4U 1728-24) was observed by Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) onboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) from 9 to 21 September 1993 as a target of oppurtunity after Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) had detected the onset of a large flare by the greatly increased pulsed flux at the period of approximately 2 min. The total flux in the 40-100 keV range as observed by the OSSE reached its maximum of 83 mCrab on 14/15 September, after which it fell sharply to about 31 mCrab within 2 days. The spectrum is well described by thermal type spectra. The characteristic temperature of the average OSSE spectrum for a thermal Bremsstrahlung model is kT = (35.5 +/- 0.5) keV. A single power law can be ruled out. There is evidence for a hardening of the spectrum with decreasing intensity at the end of the flare. The barycentric pulse period was (120.567 +/- 0.005) s on 5 September. The average spin-down rate as taken from the standard BATSE analysis was dP/dt = 0.0105 s/day, and constant over the time of the flare. A further target of oppurtunity (TOO) observation with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) on 18 September led to the first detection of the source with a reflecting X-ray telescope and to a signifcantly improved position: RA(2000) = 17h 32m 2.1s and DEC(2000) = -24 deg 44 min 44 sec. This position 3.5 sec from V2116 Oph, with a 90% error radius of 8 sec is the most accurate so far obtained with an X-ray instrument, thus confirming the identification with the suspected stellar counterpart.

Staubert, R.↗

NASA NTRS1995

CGRO/OSSE observations of the Cassiopeia A Supernova remnant

Cassipeia A, the youngest known supernova remnant in the Galaxy and a strong radio and X-ray source, was observed by OSSE 1992 July 16-August 6. Its close distance (approximately 3 kpc) and its young age (approximately 300 yr) make Cas A the best candidate among known supernova remnants for detecting Ti-44 gamma-ray lines. We find no evidence of emission at 67.9 keV, 78.4 keV, or 1.157 MeV, the three strongest Ti-44 decay lines. From simultaneous fits to the three lines our 99% confidence upper limit to the flux in each line is 5.5 x 10(exp -5) gamma/sq cm s. We also report upper limits for the 4.44 MeV C-12 nuclear de-excitation line, which could be produced by interactions of acclerated particles in the supernova remnant, and for the hard X-ray continuum.

The, L.-S.↗

NASA NTRS1995

OSSE observations of GX 339-4

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) observed the Galactic black hole candidate GX 339-4 as a target of oppurtunity in 1991 September, in response to the outburst reported by Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE). We report here on energy spectra in the 50 keV-10 MeV range obtained by OSSE. The source was detected from 50 to 400 keV at a level relative to the Crab Nebula of approximately 30%. The observed spectrum was prescribed reasonably well by a power law with an exponential cutoff; a least-squares fit yielded a photon index of 0.88 +/- 0.05 and a cutoff energy of 68 +/- 2 keV. The addition of a Compton reflection component did not significantly improve the overall fit. An optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum also provides a good fit, and the thermal Comptonization model of Sunyaev & Titarchuk, while deficient in describing the data above approximately 200 keV, cannot formally be ruled out. A pure power law with reflection does not fit the observed spectrum. During a follow-up observation made in 1991 November the intensity of the source below 100 keV had dropped by more than a factor of 40, and it was no longer detected above approximately 100 keV. The energy spectrum during the November observation could be characterized by a power law with a photon index of 2.3 +/- 0.3; the spectrum was fitted equally well with the same exponentially cutoff power-law model applied to the September observation, reduced in intensity by a factor of approximately 40. During the 1991 September observation, the luminosity in the 50-400 keV band was approximately 2 x 10(exp 37) ergs/s (assuming a distance of 4 kpc), no more than a factor of 5 below the soft X-ray luminosity of GX 339-4 observed in its X-ray high state. The luminosity during the 1991 November observation was approximately 5 x 10(exp 35) ergs/s. Extrapolations of both the exponentially cutoff power-law and Sunyaev-Titarchuk models to the approximately 5-20 keV X-ray band yield flux levels very close to that observed by Ginga during an overlapping interval in 1991 September, when GX 339-4 was reported to be in its low state. This may be one of the strongest indications to date of a direct correspondence between the low X-ray state and gamma-ray outbursts of GX 339-4.

Grabelsky, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

OSSE observations of 1E 1740.7-2942 in 1992 September

We present data on the galactic X-ray source 1E 1740.7-2942 from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on board NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). Episodes of increased low-energy gamma radiation have been reported from this source, including 1-day events in 1990 October and 1992 September. These events, of intensity 7 x 10(exp -3) and 4 x 10(exp -3) photons/sq cm/s, respectively, have been interpreted as broadened and redshifted positron annihilation radiation. OSSE conducted observations of the Galactic Center region during a 21-day interval from 1992 September 17 thru 1992 October 8. This includes the time of increased 200-450 keV emission from 1E 1740.7-2942 reported by SIGMA. The OSSE observations do not confirm this event. For the specific outburst recorded by SIGMA, 1992 Sep. 19.42-20.58 (UT), OSSE data provide an upper limit (3 sigma) of 2.4 x 10(exp -3) photons/sq cm/s.

Jung, G. V.↗

NASA NTRS1995

The soft gamma-ray spectrum of A0535+26: Detection of an absorption feature at 110 keV by OSSE

We present soft gamma-ray observations by the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) of the transient X-ray binary pulsar A0535+26. The observations were made 1994 February 8-17, immediately prior to the peak of a giant outburst. The phase averaged spectrum is complex and cannot be described by a single-component model. We find that structure in the spectrum above 100 keV can best be modeled by an absorption feature near 110 keV, which we interepret as the signature of cyclotron resonant scattering. Because of OSSE's 45 keV threshold, we are unable to make a definitive statement on the presence of a 55 keV absorption line; however, we can conclude that if this line does exist, it must have a smaller optical depth than the line at 110 keV. A first harmonic (=fundamental) cyclotron resonance at 110 keV corresponds to a magnetic field strength at the surface of the neutron star of approximately 1 x 10(exp 13) G (approximately 5 x 10(exp 12) G if the first harmonic is at 55 keV).

Grove, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1994

OSSE observations of NGC 1275 in the 0.05-10.0 MeV range

We made observations of NGC 1275 with the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory's Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) between 1991 November 28 and December 12. We did not detect the source during this viewing period. Our 3 sigma upper limit to a detection in the approximately 50-90 keV range is 6 x 10(exp -6) photons/sq cm/s/keV. This flux is more than 10 times lower than the 3 sigma detection in the same energy range reported by Rothschild et al. for their OSO 7 observations. Our results are discussed in comparison with radio observations and models for the X-ray emission, and we show that it is likely that most of the approx. greater than 10 keV photons come from the nuclear region of NGC 1275. We find no significant correlation between the variable radio intensity and the hard X-ray flux of the entire NGC 1275 source. Simultaneous Very Large Baseline Array and gamma-ray observations are needed to test the self-Compton synchrotron models for gamma-ray emission from the core of NGC 1275. Our results also provide a lower limit to the magnetic field of approximately 2 x 10(exp -7) gauss for the approximately 5 min radio source centered on NGC 1275.

Osako, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The pulsed hard X-ray spectrum of PSR B1509-58

Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) observed the 150 ms X-ray pulsar PSR B1509-58 m the supernova remnant MSH 15-52 for 4 weeks in 1992. The pulsed spectrum from 50 keV to 5 MeV is well represented by a single-power-law photon spectrum of the form (3.14 +/- 0.16) x 10(exp -6) x (E/118.5 keV)(exp -1.68 +/- -0.09) photons cm(exp -2)s(exp -1)keV(exp -1). This is significantly harder than the Crab pulsar spectrum in this energy range. The Ginga soft X-ray spectrum (2-60 keV) reported by Kawai et al. is significantly harder than the observed OSSE spectrum and predicts a flux 2 times higher than we observe in the approximately 55-170 keV energy band. This requires a break to a steeper spectrum somewhere in the intermediate energy range (approximately 20-80 keV). The spectrum must soften again at higher energies or the pulsar would have easily been detected by EGRET, COS B, and SAS 2.

Matz, S.↗

NASA NTRS1994

OSSE observations of the Crab pulsar

We present results of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) observations of the Crab pulsar, made during MJD 48373-48406 (1991 April 27 - 1991 May 30) and MJD 48798-48804 (1992 June 25 - 1992 July 1). Pulsar light curves and spectra over the approximately 0.05 to 10 MeV range are presented. The arrival time of the gamma-ray peak and the radio peak agree to within 30 microsec which is better than the approximately 300 microsec accuracy of the measurements. The overall pulse phase averaged spectrum in the 0.1 - 10 MeV range is well-fit by a power law of the form 0.05 x (E/0.13 MeV)exp(-(1.99 +/- 0.03)) photons/sq cm/s. The outer-gap model (with gap parameter equal to 0.46) provided to us by Ho agrees with the data to better than 20%. The spectra of the bridge and second peak are slightly harder than the first peak as measured by the hardness ratio (approximately 110 - 220 keV)/(approximately 50 - 105 keV): P1 = 0.54 +/- 0.01, P2 = 0.63 +/- 0.01, bridge = 0.68 +/- 0.03. The phase of the two peaks in the light curve is constant over the 50 - 550 keV range to within the accuracy of the measurements (better than 0.02 in phase). No evidence was found for variability of the light curve on timescales from 2 minutes (less than a factor of 1.8) to 1 year (less than a factor of 1.06), where these are 3 sigma upper limits. However, when we examine the historical database, we find, in agreement with Nolan et al. (1993), that there is evidence for a 13 year variation in the ratio of the intensity of peak 2 to peak 1. We show that if this is interpreted as being due to precession (which changes the relative view of the intrinsic gamma-ray pulse as seen on earth), the variation is consistent with models of neutron star structure. The optical data may be in conflict with the interpretation however. We found no statistically significant lines in the 50 - 550 keV range in the spectrum. The average 3 sigma upper limits in 10(exp -3) photons/sq cm/s for lines at 0.073, 0.078, 0.4, 0.44, 0.511, and 0.545 MeV are 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.5, and 0.1.

Ulmer, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1993

OSSE observations of Galactic 511 keV positron annihilation radiation - Initial phase 1 results

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) has performed numerous observations of the Galactic plane and Galactic center region to measure the distribution of Galactic 511 keV positron annihilation radiation and to search for time variability of the emission. The initial 511 keV line fluxes for the observations performed during the first 18 months of the GRO mission are presented. The 511 keV line flux for a typical Galactic center observation is (2.5 +/- 0.3) x 10 exp -4 gamma/sq cm per sec, where the quoted uncertainty represents the 1 sigma statistical uncertainty. No statistically significant time variability of the line flux has been observed; the 3 sigma upper limit to daily variations from the mean is 3 x 10 exp -4 gamma/sq cm per sec. The distribution of Galactic 511 keV positron annihilation radiation implied by the OSSE observations is discussed and compared with observations by other instruments.

Purcell, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment - Instrument description

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment on the Arthur Holly Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite uses four actively shielded NaI (Tl)-CsI(Na) phoswich detectors to provide gamma-ray line and continuum detection capability in the 0.05-10 MeV energy range. The instrument includes secondary capabilities for gamma-ray and neutron detection between 10 and 250 MeV. The detectors have 3.8 deg x 11.04 deg (FWHM) fields of view defined by tungsten collimators. Each detector has an independent, single-axis orientation system which permits offset pointing from the spacecraft Z-axis for background measurements and multitarget observations. The instrument, and its calibration and performance, are described.

Johnson, W. N.↗

NASA NTRS1993

OSSE observations of NGC 4151

Observations of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 with the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory are presented. A continuum spectrum is observed, which steepens exponentially with an e-folding energy of 39 +/- 2 keV over the 65-300 keV range. Source intensity variability of approximately 25 percent was seen during the observations, and no significant change in the spectral shape was detected. Simple pair models cannot explain the observed spectrum of NGC 4151, and repeated observations are required to determine whether this spectral shape is common or is even the dominant spectral state in this class of active galactic nuclei.

Maisack, M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Initial results from OSSE on the Compton Observatory

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) was launched on NASA's Compton Observatory on 1991 April 5. OSSE uses large area scintillation detectors to undertake gamma-ray line and continuum observations in the 0.05-10 MeV energy range. During the first months of the mission, OSSE has obtained observations on a number of high priority sources including AGNs, SN1991T, the galactic center region, and several discrete galactic sources. The capabilities and performance of OSSE are discussed and initial results for several of the early observations are presented.

Johnson, W. N.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment observations of Co-57 in SN 1987A

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory has observed SN 1987A for two 2 week periods during the first 9 months of the mission. Evidence for gamma-ray line and continuum emission from Co-57 is observed with an intensity of about 10 exp -4 gamma/sq cm/s. This photon flux between 50 and 136 keV is demonstrated by Monte Carlo calculations to be independent of the radial distribution of Co-57 for models of low optical depth, viz., models having photoelectric absorption losses of 122 keV photons no greater than several percent. For such models the observed Co-57 flux indicates that the ratio Ni-57/Ni-56 produced in the explosion was about 1.5 times the solar system ratio of Fe-57/Fe-56. When compared with nearly contemporaneous bolometric estimates of the luminosity for SN 1987A, our observations imply that Co-57 radioactivity does not account for most of the current luminosity of the supernova remnant in low optical depth models. We suggest alternatives, including a large optical depth model that is able to provide the SN 1987A luminosity and is consistent with the OSSE flux. It requires a 57/56 production ratio about twice solar.

Kurfess, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Operation and performance of the OSSE instrument

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Arthur Holly Compton Gamma Ray Observatory is described. An overview of the operation and control of the instrument is given, together with a discussion of typical observing strategies used with OSSE and basic data types produced by the instrument. Some performance measures for the instrument are presented that were obtained from pre-launch and in-flight data. These include observing statistics, continuum and line sensitivity, and detector effective area and gain stability.

Cameron, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

OSSE spectral analysis techniques

Analysis of the spectra from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) is complicated because of the typically low signal to noise (approx. 0.1 percent) and the large background variability. The OSSE instrument was designed to address these difficulties by periodically offset-pointing the detectors from the source to perform background measurements. These background measurements are used to estimate the background during each of the source observations. The resulting background-subtracted spectra can then be accumulated and fitted for spectral lines and/or continua. Data selection based on various environmental parameters can be performed at various stages during the analysis procedure. In order to achieve the instrument's statistical sensitivity, however, it will be necessary for investigators to develop a detailed understanding of the instrument operation, data collection, and the background spectrum and its variability. A brief description of the major steps in the OSSE spectral analysis process is described, including a discussion of the OSSE background spectrum and examples of several observational strategies.

Purcell, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

OSSE observations of galactic 511 keV annihilation radiation

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory has performed several observations of the galactic plane and galactic center region to measure the distribution of galactic 511 keV positron annihilation radiation. Preliminary analysis of data collected during the observation of the galactic center region over the period 13-24 Jun. 1991, indicates the presence of a 511 keV line and positronium continuum superimposed on a power-law continuum. The line of flux was found to be (2.7 +/- 0.5) x 10(exp -4) gamma/sq cm sec, with a positronium fraction of (0.9 +/- 0.2). The 3(sigma) upper limit to daily variations in the 511 keV line flux from the mean during the observation interval is 3 x 10(exp -4) gamma/sq cm sec. If all of the observed annihilation radiation is assumed to originate from the x-ray source 1E 1740.7-2942, the corresponding 511 keV line flux would be (3.0 +/- 0.6) x 10(exp -4) gamma/sq cm sec. The 3(sigma) upper limit for 511 keV line emission from the x-ray binary GX1+4 is 6 x 10(exp -4) gamma/sq cm sec. Results from the galactic plane observations at galactic longitudes of 25 degrees (16-21 Aug. 1991) and 339 degrees (6-11 Sep. 1991) suggest that the emission is concentrated near the galactic center. The observations and the preliminary results are described.

Purcell, W. R.↗