The Identification of the X-ray Counterpart to PSR J2021+4026
\Ve report the probable identification of the X-ray counterpart to the ~(-ray pulsar PSR J2021 +4026 using imaging with the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Weisskopf, Martin C.↗
Engineering topics
Swartz, Douglas A.
Publications and source records attributed to Swartz, Douglas A..
The Identification of the X-Ray Counterpart to PSR J2021+4026
No abstract available
Weisskopf, Martin C.↗
Resolving the Crab Nebula with Direct Hard X-Ray Imaging
We report the first direct hard (25--60 keV) X-ray imaging observation of the Crab Nebula that resolves structure to approximately 0.25 pc. The observation was performed over a 1.4 hour period during a balloon flight from Ft. Sumner, NM, on 2007 May 27. The source was detected in the energy band above the atmospheric cutoff at approx.25 keV and below the mirror graze angle cutoff at approx.60 keV. The image shows elongation about 25 degrees E of N in the direction along the plane of the torus (and perpendicular to the jet axis) with a slight surface-brightness enhancement NE of the pulsar. The spectrum within a 1.7 arcminute radius region centered on the Crab pulsar can be fitted with a Gamma=2 power law absorbed by an atmospheric column consistent with the balloon altitude at the time of observation.
Swartz, Douglas A.↗
Multiwavelength Study of the Bright X-ray Source Population in the Interacting Galaxies NGC 5774/NGC 5775
The X-ray source population in the field of the interacting pair of galaxies NGC 5774/5775 is reported. A total of 49 discrete sources are detected, including 12 ultraluminous X-ray source candidates with lum inosities above 10(exp 39)erg/s in the 0.5 - 8.0 keV X-ray band. Several of these latter are transient X-ray sources that fall below detect ion levels in one of two X-ray observations spaced 15 months apart. X-ray source positions are mapped onto optical and radio images to sear ch for potential counterparts. Eleven sources have optically-bright c ounterparts. Optical colors are used to differentiate these sources, which are mostly located outside the optical extent of the interacting galaxies, as potential globular clusters (3 sources) and quasars (5) . Follow-up optical spectroscopy confirms two of the latter are background quasars.
Ghosh, Kajal K.↗
A Search for the X-ray Counterpart of the Unidentified Gamma-ray Source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG078+2)
We report observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of a field in the gamma-Cygni supernova remnant (SNR78.2+2.1) centered on the cataloged location of the unidentified, bright gamma-ray source 3EG J2020+4017. In this search for an X-ray counterpart to the gamma-ray source, we detected 30 X-ray sources. Of these, we found 17 strong-candidate counterparts in optical (visible through near-infrared) cataloged and an additional 3 through our optical observations. Based upon colors and (for several objects) optical spectra, nearly all the optically identified objects appear to be reddened main-sequence stars: None of the X-ray sources with an optical counterpart is a plausible X-ray counterpart to 3EG J2020+4017-if that gamma-ray source is a spin-powered pulsar. Many of the 10 X-ray sources lacking optical counterparts are likely (extragalactic) active galactic nuclei, based upon the sky density of such sources. Although one of the 10 optically unidentified X-ray sources could be the gamma-ray source, there is no auxiliary evidence supporting such an identification
Weisskopf, Martin↗
Discovery of a 3.6-hr Eclipsing Luminous X-Ray Binary in the Galaxy NGC 4214
We report the discovery of an eclipsing X-ray binary with a 3.62-hr period within 24 arcsec of the center of the dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 4214. The orbital period places interesting constraints on the nature of the binary, and allows for a few very different interpretations. The most likely possibility is that the source lies within NGC 4214 and has an X-ray luminosity of up to 7e38. In this case the binary may well be comprised of a naked He-burning donor star with a neutron-star accretor, though a stellar-mass black-hole accretor cannot be completely excluded. There is no obvious evidence for a strong stellar wind in the X-ray orbital light curve that would be expected from a massive He star; thus, the mass of the He star should be <3-4 solar masses. If correct, this would represent a new class of very luminous X-ray binary----perhaps related to Cyg X-3. Other less likely possibilities include a conventional low-mass X-ray binary that somehow manages to produce such a high X-ray luminosity and is apparently persistent over an interval of years; or a foreground AM Her binary of much lower luminosity that fortuitously lies in the direction of NGC 4214. Any model for this system must accommodate the lack of an optical counterpart down to a limiting magnitude of 22.6 in the visible.
Ghosh, Kajal K.↗
The Lack of Halo Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources
The premise that Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) exist beyond the optical extent of nearby galaxies is investigated. A published catalog containing 41 ULX candidates located between 1 and approx. 3 times the standard D-{25} isophotal radius of their putative host galaxies is examined. Twenty-one of these sources have spectroscopically-confirmed distances. All 21 are background objects giving a 95\% probability that at least 37 of the 41 candidates are background sources. Thirty-nine of the 41 sources have X-ray-to-optical flux ratios, -1.6 1.6.) The uniform spatial distribution of the sample is also consistent with a background population. This evidence suggests that ULXs rarely, if at all, exist beyond the distribution of luminous matter in nearby galaxies and, as a consequence, there is no correlation between the population of ULXs and halo objects such as old globular clusters or Population III remnants.
Swartz, Douglas A.↗
On the 5-50 keV Energy Spectrum of the Unresolved X-ray Background
Previous analyses of HEAO-1 proportional-counter observations of the unresolved 5-50-keV background described its spectrum in terms of a 40-keV thermal bremsstrahlung. We have used Monte-Carlo simulations of that experiment in order to determine a more precise response matrix, which incorporates effects not previously included. Here we describe the simulation, the new response matrix, a re-analysis of the HEAO-1 data, and implications for the RXTE.
Weisskopf, Martin C.↗
On The Nature of the Ultraluminous X-Ray Transient in Cen A (NGC 5128)
We combine 20 ROSAT, Chandra, and XMM-Newton observations of the Cen A galaxy to obtain the X-ray light curve of 1RXH J132519.8-430312 (=CXOU J132519.9-430317) spanning 1990 to 2003. The source reached a peak 0.1-2.4 keV flux F(sub X) > 10(exp -12) ergs/sq cm/s during a 10 day span in 1995 July. The inferred peak isotropic luminosity of the source therefore exceeded 3 x 10(exp 39) ergs/s, which places the source in the class of ultra-luminous X-ray sources. Coherent pulsations at 13.264 Hz are detected at the 3 sigma level during a second bright episode (F(sub x) > 3 x 10(exp -13) ergs/sq cm/s) in 1999 December. The source is detected and varies significantly within three additional observations but is below the detection threshold in 7 observations. The X-ray spectrum in 1999 December is best described as a cut-off power law or a disk-blackbody (multi-colored disk). We also detect an optical source, m(sub F555W) approx. 24.1 mag, within the Chandra error circle of 1RXH J132519.8-430312 in Hubble images taken 195 days before the nearest X-ray observation. The optical brightness of this source is consistent with a late O or early B star at the distance of Cen A. The X-ray and optical behavior of 1RXH J132519.8-430312 is therefore similar to the transient Be/X-ray pulsar A 0538-66.
Ghosh, Kajal K.↗
Modeling contamination migration on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory
During its first 5 years of operation, the cold (-60 C) optical blocking filter of the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory, has accumulated a contaminating layer that attenuates the low-energy x rays. To assist in assessing the likelihood of successfully baking off the contaminant, members of the Chandra Team developed contamination-migration simulation software. The simulation follows deposition onto and (temperature-dependent) vaporization from surfaces comprising a geometrical model of the Observatory. A separate thermal analysis, augmented by on-board temperature monitoring, provides temperatures for each surface of the same geometrical model. This paper describes the physical basis for the simulations, the methodologies, and the predicted migration of the contaminant for various bake-out scenarios and assumptions.
O'Dell, Stephen L.↗
A Multiwavelength Search for a Counterpart of the Brightest Unidentified Gamma-Ray Source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG 078+2)
In search of the counterpart to the brightest unidentified gamma-ray source, 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG 078+2), we report on new X-ray and radio observations of the gamma Cygni field with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). We also report on reanalysis of archival ROSAT data. With Chandra it became possible for the first time to measure the position of the putative gamma-ray counterpart, RX J2020.2+4026, with subarcsecond accuracy and to deduce its X-ray spectral characteristics. These observations demonstrate that RX J2020.2+4026 is associated with a K field star and therefore is unlikely to be the counterpart of the bright gamma-ray source 2CG 078+2 in the SNR G78.2+2.1 as had been previously suggested. The Chandra observation detected 37 additional X-ray sources, which were correlated with catalogs of optical and infrared data. Subsequent GBT radio observations covered the complete 99% EGRET likelihood contour of 3EG J2020+4017 with a sensitivity limit of L(sub 820) approximately 0.1 mJy kpc(exp 2), which is lower than most of the recent deep radio search limits. If there is a pulsar operating in 3EG J2020+40 17, this sensitivity limit suggests that either the pulsar does not produce significant amounts of radio emission or that its geometry is such that the radio beam does not intersect with the line of sight. Finally, reanalysis of archival ROSAT data leads to a flux upper limit of fx(0.1 - 2.4 keV) less than 1.8 x 10(exp -13) ergs s(exp -1) cm(exp -2) for a putative pointlike X-ray source located within the 68% confidence contour of 3EG J2020+4017. Adopting the supernova remnant age of 5400 yr and assuming a spin-down to X-ray energy conversion factor of 10(exp 14), this upper limit constrains the parameters of a putative neutron star as a counterpart for 3EG J2020+4017 to be P is approximately greater than 160 (d 1.5 kpc)(exp -1) ms, P is approximately greater than 5 x 10(exp -13) ((d 1.5 kpc)(exp -1)) s s(exp -1), and B (perpendicular) is approximately greater than 9 x 10(exp l2) )(d 1.5 kpc)(exp -1)) G.
Becker, Werner↗
The Herbig Ae Star HD 163296 in X-Rays
Chandra X-ray imaging spectroscopy of the nearby Herbig Ae star HD 163296 at 100 AU angular resolution is reported. A point-like, soft (kT approximately 0.5 approximately kev), emission-line source is detected at the location of the star with an X-ray luminosity of 4.0e29 erg/s. In addition, faint emission along the direction of a previously-detected Ly-alpha-emitting jet and Herbig-Haro outflow may be present. The relatively low luminosity, lack of a hard spectral component, and absence of strong X-ray variability in HD 163296 can be explained as originating from optically-thin shock-heated gas accreting onto the stellar surface along magnetic field lines. This would require a (dipole) magnetic field strength at the surface of HD 163296 of at least approximately 100 approximately G and perhaps as high as several kG.
Swartz, Douglas A.↗
On the Nature of the Bright Short-Period X-Ray Source in the Circinus Galaxy Field
The spectrum and light curve of the bright X-ray source CG X-1 in the field of the Circinus galaxy are reexamined. Previous analyses have concluded that the source is an accreting black hole of mass > or approx. 50 solar masses although it has been noted that the light curve resembles that of an AM Herculis system. Here we show that the short period and an assumed main-sequence companion constrain the mass of the companion to less than 1 solar mass. Furthermore, a possible eclipse seen during one of the Chandra observations and a subsequent XMM-Newton observation constrain the mass of the compact object to less than 60 solar masses. If such a system lies in the Circinus galaxy, then the accreting object must either radiate anisotropically or strongly violate the Eddington limit. Even if the emission is beamed, then the companion star that intercepts this flux during eclipse will be driven out of thermal equilibrium and evaporate within approx. 10(exp 3) yr. We find that the observations cannot rule out an AM Herculis system in the Milky Way and that such a system can account for the variations seen in the light curve.
Weisskopf, Martin C.↗
A Multi-Wavelength Search for a Counterpart of the Unidentified Gamma-ray Source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG078+2)
In search of the counterpart to the brightest unidentified gamma-ray source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG078+2) we report on new X-ray and radio observations of the gamma-Cygni field with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). We also report on reanalysis of archival ROSAT data. With Chandra it became possible for the first time to measure the position of the putative gamma-ray counterpart RX J2020.2+4026 with sub-arcsec accuracy and to deduce its X-ray spectra1 characteristics. These observations demonstrate that RX J2020.2+4026 is associated with a K field star and therefore is unlikely to be the counterpart of the bright gamma-ray source 2CG078+2 in the SNR G78.2+2.1 as had been previously suggested.
Becker, Werner↗
The Ultra-Luminous X-ray Source Population from the Chandra Archive of Galaxies
One hundred fifty-four discrete non-nuclear Ultra-Luminous X-ray (ULX) sources, with spectroscopically-determined intrinsic X-ray luminosities greater than 1 e39 ergs/s, are identified in 82 galaxies observed with Chandra's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer. Source positions, X-ray luminosities, and spectral and timing characteristics are tabulated. Statistical comparisons between these X-ray properties and those of the weaker discrete sources in the same fields (mainly neutron star and stellar-mass black hole binaries) are made. Sources above approximately le38 ergs per second display similar spatial, spectral, color, and variability distributions. In particular, there is no compelling evidence in the sample for a new and distinct class of X-ray object such as the intermediate-mass black holes. 83% of ULX candidates have spectra that can be described as absorbed power laws with index = 1.74 and column density = 2.24e21 l per square centimeter, or approximately 5 times the average Galactic column. About 20% of the ULX's have much steeper indices indicative of a soft, and likely thermal, spectrum. The locations of ULXs in their host galaxies are strongly peaked towards their galaxy centers. The deprojected radial distribution of the ULX candidates is somewhat steeper than an exponential disk, indistinguishable from that of the weaker sources. About 5--15% of ULX candidates are variable during the Chandra observations (which average 39.5 ks). Comparison of the cumulative X-ray luminosity functions of the ULXs to Chandra Deep Field results suggests approximately 25% of the sources may be background objects including 14% of the ULX candidates in the sample of spiral galaxies and 44% of those in elliptical galaxies implying the elliptical galaxy ULX population is severely compromised by background active galactic nuclei. Correlations with host galaxy properties confirm the number and total X-ray luminosity of the ULXs are associated with recent star formation and with galaxy merging and interactions. The preponderance of ULXs in star-forming galaxies as well as their similarities to less-luminous sources suggest they originate in a young but short-lived population such as the high-mass X-ray binaries with a smaller contribution (based on spectral slope) from recent supernovae. The number of ULXs in elliptical galaxies scales with host galaxy mass and can be explained most simply as the high-luminosity end of the low-mass X-ray binary population.
Swartz, Douglas A.↗
A Multi-Wavelength Search for a Counterpart of the Unidentified Gamma-ray source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG078+2)
In search of the counterpart to the brightest unidentified gamma-ray source 3EG J2020+4017 (2CG078+2) we report on new X-ray and radio observations of the gamma-Cygni field with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). We also report on reanalysis of archival ROSAT data. With Chandra it became possible for the first time to measure the position of the putative gamma-ray counterpart RX J2020.2+4026 with sub-arcsec accuracy and to deduce its X-ray spectral characteristics. These observations demonstrate that RX J2020.2+4026 is associated with a K field star and therefore is unlikely to be the counterpart of the bright gamma-ray source 2CG078+2 in the SNR G78.2+2.1 as had been previously suggested. The Chandra observation detected 37 additional X-ray sources which were correlated with catalogs of optical and infrared data. Subsequent GBT radio observations covered the complete 99% EGRET likelihood contour of 3EG J2020+4017 with a sensitivity limit of L(sub 820) approx. 0.1 mJy kpc(exp 2) which is lower than most of the recent deep radio search limits. If there is a pulsar operating in 3EG J2020+4017, this sensitivity limit suggests that the pulsar either does not produce significant amounts of radio emission or that its geometry is such that the radio beam does not intersect with the line of sight. Finally, reanalysis of archival ROSAT data leads to a flux upper limit of f(sub x)(0.1-2.4 keV) < 1.8 x 10(exp -13) erg/s/sq cm for a putative point-like X-ray source located within the 68% confidence contour of 3EG J2020+4017. Adopting the SNR age of 5400 yrs and assuming a spin-down to X-ray energy conversion factor of 10(exp -3) this upper limit constraints the parameters of a putative neutron star as a counterpart for 3EG J2020+4017 to be P > or approx. 160/(d/1.5 kpc) ms, P > or approx. 5 x 10(exp -13)/(d/1.5kpc) s s1 and B > or approx. 9 x 10(exp 12)/(d/1.5 kpc) G.
Becker, Werner↗
A Multi-Wavelength Study of the X-Ray Sources in the NGC 5018
The E3 giant elliptical galaxy NGC-5018 was observed with the cxo X-ray Observatory's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer for 30-h on 14 April 2001. Results of analysis of these X-ray data as well as of complementary optical, infrared, and radio data are reported. Seven X-ray point sources, including the nucleus, were detected. If they are intrinsic to NGC-5018, then all six non-nuclear sources have luminosities exceeding 10(exp 39)-ergl in the 0.5-8.0-keV energy band; placing them in the class of Ultra- luminous X-ray sources. Comparison of X-ray source positions to archival Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (hst/WFPC2) images reveal four of the six non-nuclear sources are spatially--coincident with bright, M$(sub V)LA -8.6 mag, objects. These four objects have optical magnitudes and (V-I) colors consistent with globular clusters in NGC-5018. However, one of these objects was observed to vary by siml mag in both V and I between observations taken 28 July 1997 and 04 Feb 1999 indicating this source is a background active galactic nucleus (AGN). The nature of the other three optically-bright objects cannot be determined from the available optical data but all have X-ray-to-optical flux ratios consistent with background AGNs. Strong, unpolarized, radio emission has been detected from another of the optically-bright counterparts. It displays an inverted radio spectrum and is the most absorbed of the seven sources in the X-ray band. It, too, is most readily explained as a background AGN, though alternative explanations cannot be ruled out. Extended X-ray emission is detected within a siml5 arcsec radius of the galaxy center at a luminosity of sim lO(exp 40)-ergl in the X-ray band. Its thermal X-ray spectrum (kT sim0.4-keV) and its spatial coincidence with strong H(alpha) emission are consistent with a hot gas origin. The nucleus itself is a weak X-ray source, LA-5 times 10(exp 39)-ergl, but displays a radio spectrum typical of AGN.
Ghosh, Kajal K.↗
Chandra X-Ray Observatory Observations of the Globular Cluster M28 and its Milisecond Pulsar PSR B1821-24
We report here the results of the first Chandra X-Ray Observatory observations of the globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). We detect 46 X-ray sources, of which 12 lie within 1 core radius of the center. We show that the apparently extended X-ray core emission seen with the ROSAT HRI is due to the superposition of multiple discrete sources, for which we determine the X-ray luminosity function down to a limit of about 6 x 10(exp 30) ergs/s. We measure the radial distribution of the X-ray sources and fit it to a King profile finding a core radius of r(sub c,X) approx. = 5 11". We measure for the first time the unconfused phase-averaged X-ray spectrum of the 3.05 ms pulsar B1821-24 and find that it is best described by a power law with photon index Gamma approx. = 1.2. We find marginal evidence of an emission line centered at 3.3 keV in the pulsar spectrum, which could be interpreted as cyclotron emission from a corona above the pulsar s polar cap if the magnetic field is strongly different from a centered dipole. The unabsorbed pulsar flux in the 0.1 - 8.0 keV band is approx. = 3.5 x 10(exp -13) ergs/s sq cm. We present spectral analyses of the five brightest unidentified sources. Based on the spectral parameters of the brightest of these sources, we suggest that it is a transiently accreting neutron star in a low-mass X-ray binary, in quiescence. Fitting its spectrum with a hydrogen neutron star atmosphere model yields the effective temperature T(sub eff, sup infinity) = 90(sup +30, sub -10) eV and the radius R(sub NS, sup infinity) = 14.5(sup +6.9, sub -3.8) km. In addition to the resolved sources, we detect fainter, unresolved X-ray emission from the central core. Using the Chandra-derived positions, we also report on the result of searching archival Hubble Space Telescope data for possible optical counterparts.
Becker, Werner↗