Engineering topics

White, N. E.

Publications and source records attributed to White, N. E..

At least 91 records · Page 5

NASA NTRS1980

The X-ray pulsars 4U 1145-61 and 1E 1145.1-6141

Observations of the neighboring X-ray pulsars 4U 1145-61 and 1E 1145.1-6141 obtained by OSO 8, HEAO 1 and the Einstein Observatory between 1975 and 1979 are reported. A temporal analysis of Einstein Solid State Spectrometer and Monitor Proportional Counter data, OSO 8 A and C detector data and HEAO 1 A-2(3) experiment data confirms the presence of two periodicites at 291 and 297 sec in the region, with the shorter period located within 3 arcmin of 4U 1145-61. Observations indicate the spectrum of 4U 1145-61 to obey a power law with an index of 1.5 out to at least 60 keV, with little variation with pulse phase, and a 500-eV EW iron line at 6.7 keV. The spectrum of the other source is found to be more absorbed. Similarities between the pulsars are noted, and it is suggested that they may be the result of pulsar formation in a homogeneous cloud of progenitors.

White, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray observations of Algol

The Solid State Spectrometer on Einstein has been used to study Algol. Two observations six months apart were made, both including a primary optical eclipse. No corresponding X-ray eclipses were seen. During the second observation the source was flaring and was on the average a factor of three brighter. The spectrum on both occasions was consistent with a two-component thermal equilibrium model with temperatures of approximately 7.5 and 40 million degrees. Attempts to insert a third component indicate the temperature distribution to be bimodal. Models for the X-ray emission are discussed and it is suggested that it most likely originates from an active corona surrounding the K star.

White, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray spectral constraints on the broad-line cloud geometry of NGC 4151

X-ray spectral data from NGC 4151 taken with the Einstein Solid-State Spectrometer (SSS) and the HEAO-1 A-2 experiment cannot be simply reconciled with absorption from a uniform column of cold gas. The SSS data can, however, be explained in terms of a clumped absorber with approximately 10% uncovered fraction and factor-of-two overabundances in Z equal to or greater than 14 elements relative to solar oxygen. It is shown that these and previously reported spectral and variability data can be quantitatively reconciled with absorption arising in the cold clouds responsible for the broad optical line emission if the cloud dimensions are small compared to the central source size. It is suggested that the lack of significant X-ray absorption observed from much higher luminosity Seyferts and quasars is a natural consequence of our picture for NGC 4151.

Holt, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray and ultraviolet spectroscopy of Cygnus X-1 = HDE 226868

Observations of Cygnus X-1 with the solid-state spectrometer on the Einstein Observatory are presented. The X-ray spectra of two intensity dips viewed near superior conjunction did not exhibit increased photoelectric absorption. Rather, the data support a model in which an increase in the electron-scattering optical depth modifies both the observed spectrum and the intensity. The characteristic temperature of the intervening material is greater than about 50 million K. These measurements were in part simultaneous with observations by IUE. The ultraviolet spectrum and intensity remained relatively constant during an X-ray intensity dip.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray spectrum of Kepler's supernova remnant

Observations made with the Solid State Spectrometer (SSS) aboard the Einstein Observatory confirm Kepler's SNR as an X-ray source with an intensity between 1 and 3 keV of 7.2 x 10 to the -11th ergs/sq cm s. The X-ray spectrum is similar to those of Cas A and Tycho, with strong line emission from the helium-like species of Si, S, and Ar. Direct comparisons to Tycho's SNR suggest a distance to Kepler's SNR of not less than 5 kpc.

Becker, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of rapid variability in Scorpius X-1

Copernicus and SAS-3 observations of Sco X-1 during very active states show strong and rapid X-ray flickering with time scales as short as 20 sec. Simultaneous optical photometry reveals similar and remarkably well correlated flickering of lower amplitude. The level of correlation decreases when the X-ray source becomes fainter, but optical and X-ray fluxes, averaged over 1 min, are usually well correlated for B magnitudes less than 12.9. Cross-correlation analysis of the data during periods of high activity shows no really significant time delay between X-ray and optical features, although the cross-correlation function peaks systematically for positive lag values (optical following X-rays). The amplitude of the X-ray flickering exhibits a strong energy-dependence consistent with the well-known intensity versus spectral-hardness relation derived from previous observations. The highly correlated optical activity is interpreted as due to reprocessing of X-ray photons in the binary system.

Ilovaisky, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray spectroscopy of late-type stars

The solid state spectrometer on the Einstein Observatory determined .4 - 4.5 keV spectra for Capella, Algol and 6 RS CVn binaries. All show evidence for a bimodal distribution of emission measure with temperature with one component approximately 7 million degrees and one approximately 40 million degrees. The spread in values of both luminosity and emission measure is 10 for the low temperature component and approximately 500 for the high temperature component. Line emission due to Fe can be identified in most of them and abundances of Si, S and Fe are consistent with approximately solar values in all cases. Estimates indicate dimensions of the emitting regions are on the order of the stellar size and the binary separation for the low and high temperature components, respectively, unless the pressures are high. Variations in the flux were observed, mostly in the hard component for the RS CVn binaries, in the soft component for Capella. A flare was observed during primary eclipse of Algol. The possibility is discussed that the other variations could all be due to intrinsic variability with a time scale of hours-days rather than eclipse or modulation with photometric phase.

Swank, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray observations of Algol

Observations of Algol using a solid state spectrometer onboard the Einstein Observatory are discussed. Two observations six months apart were made, both during a primary optical eclipse. No corresponding X-ray eclipses were seen. During the second observation the source was flaring and was on average a factor three brighter. The spectrum on both occasions was consistent with a two-component thermal equilibrium model with temperatures of approximately 7.5 and 40 million degrees. Attempts to insert a third component indicate the temperature distribution to be bimodal. Models for the X-ray emission are discussed and it is suggested that the emission most likely originates from an active corona surrounding the K star.

White, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray and UV spectroscopy of Cygnus X-1 = HDE226868

Observations are presented of Cygnus X-1 with the solid-state spectrometer on the Einstein Observatory. The X-ray spectra of two intensity dips viewed near superior conjunction did not exhibit increased photoelectric absorption. Rather the data support a model in which an increase in the electron scattering optical depth modifies both the observed spectrum and the intensity. The characteristic temperature of the intervening material is greater than 5 x 10 to the 7th power K. These measurements were in part simultaneous with observations by IUE. The ultra violet spectrum and intensity remained relatively constant during an X-ray intensity dip.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The X-ray pulsars 4U1145-61 and 1E1145.1-6141

Observations of the X-ray sources near 4U1145-61 are presented. The presence of two periodicities at 291 and 297 seconds is confirmed. The location of the shorter period is isolated to within 3 arc minutes of 4U1145-61. The spectrum of 4U1145-61 is a power law out to at least 60 keV with a 500 eV EW iron line at 6.7 keV. The inferred spectrum of the other is absorbed. No evidence is found for a monotonic variation in either pulse period.

White, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

X-ray spectrum of Kepler's SNR

Observations made with the solid state spectrometer aboard the Einstein Observatory confirm Kepler's SNR as an X-ray source with an intensity between 1-3 KeV of 7.2 x 10 to the-11th power ergs/sq cm-s. The X-ray spectrum is similar to those of Cas A and Tycho, with strong line emission from the helium-like species of Si, S, and Ar. Direct comparisons to Tycho's SNR suggest a distance of Kepler's SNR of greater than or equal to 5 kpc.

Becker, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Elemental abundances in a Type I supernova remnant

The solid-state spectrometer (SSS) on the HEAO 2 (Einstein) X-ray observatory observed the X-ray spectrum of Tycho's SNR. The observations show a relative excess of line emission from Si, S, and Ar by not less than 6 compared to that expected from a plasma of solar composition in collisional equilibrium and by a factor of not less than 3 compared to Cas A. Similar excesses are not found for line emission from Mg and Fe. The data suggest that the SN observed by Tycho in 1572 produced significant amounts of Si group elements but did not eject large amounts of Fe as predicted by some models of Type I SN events.

Becker, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

HEAO 1 observations of X-ray emission from flares on dMe stars

The paper reports the detection of two X-ray flares from each of the nearby dMe stars, AT Mic and AD Leo, with the A-2 experiment on board HEAO 1. A spectrum obtained during the brighter AT Mic flare, the first X-ray spectrum of a stellar flare, is well matched by a thermal model with a temperature 3 x 10 to the 7 K and an iron K-alpha emission line. The X-ray luminosities derived are in the range 1.3-16 x 10 to the 30th ergs/s, while emission measures are in the range 1.1-14 x 10 to the 53rd/cu cm. The estimated Lx/Lopt ratios exceed unity and are inconsistent with Mullan's flare model. Several scenarios to explain this discrepancy are proposed.

Kahn, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

X-ray line emission from Capella

X-ray emission-line components from Mg, Si, S, and Fe are unambiguously detected from Capella with the solid-state spectrometer onboard the Einstein Observatory. The X-ray spectrum is inconsistent with an isothermal corona, and requires components between 6-million K and at least 24-million K for an adequate fit. An inhomogeneous corona in which the X-ray emitting plasma is confined to magnetically contained loops appears to be reconcilable with all of the experimental evidence.

Holt, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

X-ray spectrum of Cassiopeia A measured with the Einstein SSS

The solid state spectrometer (SSS) on the Einstein Observatory observed the X-ray spectrum of Cas A between 0.8 and 4.5 keV with a FWHM energy resolution of 160 eV. Line emission consistent with transitions of helium-like ions of Si, S, and Ar was well defined. Comparison between the data and the emission expected from a gas containing two distinct thermal components requires additional line emission from Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe. These results are discussed in the context of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium situations.

Becker, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The discovery of 38.22 second X-ray pulsations from the vicinity of OAO 1653-40

A 38.22-s X-ray pulsator has been discovered during an 8-hour HEAO 1 pointed observation of the area of sky containing OAO 1653-40. It is found that this pulsing source is not associated with V861 Sco, the proposed optical identification for OAO 1653-40. The spectrum is very hard, the spectral index being about 1.4, with about a 500-eV equivalent width of iron-line emission. No high-energy cutoff is observed.

White, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Pulse-phase spectroscopy of Hercules X-1

The 6-18 keV and the 40-60 keV X-ray spectrum of Hercules X-1 were simultaneously observed with the A-2 experiment on HEAO-1. By combining these measurements with the results of an earlier observation of this X-ray pulsar, evidence was found for a component of emission above 40 keV which is above an extrapolation from lower energies, by a factor which depends on the phase of the pulse. These data were compared to previous hard X-ray observations and possible models were discussed.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

HEAO 1 observations of the X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67

Results are reported for an observation of the 7-s pulsar 4U 1626-67 with the A-2 experiment on HEAO 1. The phase-averaged X-ray spectrum between 0.7 and 60 keV is complex, as are the constituent spectra, which change radically as a function of pulse phase. Included in this spectral change is the sudden appearance and subsequent decay of a continuum or emission feature with a mean energy of 19 keV, which contains about one-half the power in this spectral range. Pulse-timing results include a new determination of the pulse period and a factor of 8 reduction in the upper limit for the light travel time for orbital periods between 1 and 7 hours. These findings are discussed and compared with the general nature of pulsar spectra.

Pravdo, S. H.↗