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NASA NTRS1977

X-ray burst sources

Available information on 12 well-observed and three poorly observed X-ray burst sources is reviewed. Specific attention is given to source positions, associated 'steady' X-ray emission, intervals between bursts, energy fluxes, spectral hardening and softening during bursts, as well as burst-active and inactive states. Differences and similarities between X-ray and gamma-ray bursts are discussed, the possibility is considered that the gradual decay of bursts results from scattering of an initial short pulse by a surrounding cloud or atmosphere, and it is suggested that most burst sources are not located in globular clusters. The proposed association of X-ray bursts with supermassive black holes is considered to be almost certainly incorrect.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

X-ray bursts from magnetized accretion disks

A model for the X-ray bursts of MXB 1730-335 and 3U 1820-30 (identified with the globular cluster NGC 6624) is presented in which a burst is due to the flarelike release of magnetic energy generated and stored as a toroidal field in an accretion disk. To fit the observed parameters, this model requires compact objects of the order of 10 solar masses, presumably black holes.

Wheeler, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Energy spectra of 43 galactic X-ray sources observed by Uhuru

X-ray observations from the Uhuru satellite have been used to obtain the energy spectra from 2 to 20 keV for 43 galactic X-ray sources, which then were used to classify the X-ray sources. This survey has shown that galactic sources exhibit different spectra with a temperature range from 10 to the 7th to 2 x 10 to the 8th K. For the sources included in this survey no significant increase was observed in the number of sources with very cool temperatures or with very hot temperatures. Ten of the 11 X-ray sources which have been reported to pulsate regularly on time scales of seconds to minutes have temperatures exceeding about 10 to the 8th K. The four globular-cluster X-ray sources 3U 1820-30, 3U 1746-37, A1850 + 09, and MX 1746-20 have spectra similar to the strong galactic center sources with temperatures between 4 x 10 to the 7th and 9 x 10 to the 7th K.

Jones, C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Unusual satellite data: A black hole?

Data obtained by the NASA-launched European Space Agency's International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite suggests the possibility of a massive black hole at the center of some globular clusters (star groups) in our galaxy. Six of these clusters, three of them X-ray sources, were closely examined. Onboard short wavelength UV instrumentation penetrated the background denseness of the clusters 15,000 light years away where radiation, probably from a group of 10 to 20 bright blue stars orbiting the core, was observed. The stars may well be orbiting a massive black hole the size of 1,000 solar systems. The existence of the black hole is uncertain. The dynamics of the stars must be studied first to determine how they rotate in relation to the center of the million-star cluster. This may better indicate what provides the necessary gravitational pull that holds them in orbit.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of galactic X-ray sources by OSO-7

We present the MIT data from the OSO-7 satellite for observations of the galactic plane between 1971 and 1974. A number of sources discovered in the MIT all-sky survey are described in detail: MX 0049 + 59, MX 0836 - 42, MX 1353 - 64, MX 1406 - 61, MX 1418 - 61, MX 1709 - 40, and MX 1608 - 52 (the persistent source suggested to be associated with the X-ray burst source XB 1608 - 52). Upper limits to the X-ray emission from a number of interesting objects are also derived. General results describing all of our observations of galactic sources are presented. Specifically, we display the number-intensity diagrams, luminosity functions, and color-color diagrams for all of the sources we detected. The data are divided between disk and bulge populations, and the characteristics of the two groups are contrasted. Finally, the concept of X-ray source populations and the relationship of globular cluster sources and burst sources to the disk and bulge populations are discussed.

Markert, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermal limit for spherical accretion and X-ray bursts

A mechanism is described whereby the rate of spherical accretion on a collapsed object and the resulting X-ray luminosity can be limited by thermal heating and evaporation of the accreting gas. The luminosity limit can be a factor of the order of 100 below the corresponding Eddington limit. Steady accretion flow is not possible within a range above this limit, and X-ray bursts can be produced by accretion surges resulting from the cooling and collapse of a heated gas shell above a critical optical depth. The luminosity and approximate recurrence rate of the bursts from NGC 6624 and other burst sources may then be understood. A general model for bursters is proposed in which massive (about 10 to 100 solar masses) black holes, from massive stars and the cores of disrupted globular clusters, undergo supercritical spherical accretion in interstellar clouds. Both X-ray and gamma-ray bursts are predicted to have similar hard X-ray (about 200 keV) spectra, though high average accretion rates and central optical depths also yield a comparable luminosity at around 5 keV from a Comptonized blackbody spectrum in the X-ray bursts and associated steady sources.

Grindlay, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A consistent age for the Universe

The constraints associated with traditional dating methods for determining the age of the universe are combined in the context of the standard cosmological model to see which age can satisfy them all. The allowed age of the universe is found to range from 13.5 to 15.5 times 1,000,000,000 years in accordance with the limits for the density parameter being 0.06 and 0.3 and the limits for the heavy element mass fraction of globular clusters being 0.0001 and 0.001. The proposed range for the age of the universe agrees with Friedmann's description of the universe.

Kazanas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The scanning modulation collimator experiment on the HEAO-1

The purpose of this experiment is to localize celestial sources of X-rays to a precision of 5 to 20 arcsec, so that they may be identified with optical or radio counterparts. We also study their angular size and structure, to elucidate the X-ray emission mechanism. Four grids, wound with nickel alloy wires, are aligned to produce a modulated X-ray signal when the spacecraft rotation carries the collimator field of view across an X-ray source. An image dissector star camera and rate integrating gyroscopes are used to deduce the celestial position from which a peak X-ray signal arises. On-orbit performance and thermal stability have been very good. Based on the first six weeks of quick look data, we have the following results: the location of an X-ray burst source within a globular cluster; the location of 4U1608-52, a unique object which shows bursting, transient, and steady X-ray behavior and is also an optical source; the location of the X-ray transient H1705-25, which provided Anglo-Australian astronomers the basis for an optical identification with a nova-like object; the location of the X-ray transient H1743-32 in the galactic center; and a precise measurement of the angular extent of the Crab Nebula.

Schwartz, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Helios-2 Vela-Ariel-5 gamma-ray burst source position

The gamma-ray burst of 28 January 1976, one of 18 events thus far detected in interplanetary space with Helios-2, was also observed with the Vela-5A, -6A and the Ariel-5 satellites. A small source field is obtained from the intersection of the region derived from the observed time delays between Helios-2 and Vela-5A and -6A with the source region independently found with the Ariel-5 X-ray detector. This area contains neither any steady X-ray source as scanned by HEAO-A nor any previously catalogued X-ray, radio or infrared sources, X-ray transients, quasars, seyferts, globular clusters, flare stars, pulsars, white dwarfs or high energy gamma-ray sources. The region is however, within the source field of a gamma-ray transient observed in 1974, which exhibited nuclear gamma-ray line structure.

Cline, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Recent results of X-ray observations from OSO-7 and SAS-3

Recent observations bearing on the nature of compact X-ray sources obtained from the MIT instruments aboard OSO-7 and SAS-3 are discussed. Results on the X-ray sky survey, new ultralow-energy X-ray sources, X-ray sources in globular clusters, slow X-ray pulsars, and variability and position of compact X-ray sources in Cen A are discussed. Descriptions of the satellite-borne X-ray instruments are provided.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Helios 2-Vela-Ariel 5 gamma-ray burst source position

The gamma-ray burst of January 28, 1976, one of 18 events thus far detected in interplanetary space with Helios 2, was also observed with the Vela 5A and 6A and the Ariel 5 satellites. A small source field is obtained from the intersection of the region derived from the observed time delays between Helios 2 and Vela 5A and 6A, with the source region independently found with the Ariel 5 X-ray detector. This area contains neither any steady X-ray source as scanned by HEAO 1 nor any previously cataloged X-ray, radio, or infrared sources, X-ray transients, quasars, Seyferts, globular clusters, flare stars, pulsars, white dwarfs, or high enery gamma-ray sources. The region is, however, within the source field of a gamma-ray transient observed in 1974 by Jacobson et al. (1978) which exhibited nuclear gamma-ray line structure.

Cline, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thermonuclear flashes on accreting neutron stars

Observations of X-ray bursts from binary pulsars and globular clusters are reviewed. The previously proposed hypothesis is considered that such X-ray bursts result from thermonuclear flashes on accreting neutron stars. A general scenario for this mechanism is outlined, and numerical computations of the evolution of the surface layers of an accreting neutron star are discussed. The relation of these calculations to X-ray bursts and other phenomena is examined. Possible improvements in the numerical calculations are suggested.

Joss, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Population statistics of faint stellar and non-stellar objects

A disc and halo population model is constructed to fit star counts and color data down to V approximately 23 at absolute value of b = 90 deg. This model is used to predict star counts and colors down to V approximately 30. Deviations from these extrapolated relationships provide constraints on the number of faint quasars and black dwarf stars. It is shown that extra-galactic globular clusters start contributing significantly to star counts at V approximately 25 and are more numerous than stars for V 31. Morphological studies of galaxies with approximately 0.5, were made with the space telescope. Significant constraints on theoretical models that describe the evolution of clusters of galaxies are provided.

Vandenbergh, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The Spacelab Wide Angle Telescope (SWAT)

A fast wide angle telescope that will be capable of imaging to the darker sky limit and in the ultraviolet wavelength region available above the atmosphere is described. The telescope (SWAT) has a resolution comparable to that of the large ground-based Schmidt telescope and a field of at least five degrees. A number of astrophysically important investigations can only be accomplished with such a telescope, e.g., detection of hidden, hot objects like hot white dwarfs and subwarfs in stellar binary systems, and energetic regions in globular clusters and galaxy nuclei. It permits unique studies of the UV-morphology of extended objects and allows discovery of very faint extensions, halos, jets, and filaments in galaxies. It can contribute to the investigation of dust in the Milky Way and in other galaxies and, with an objective prism, spectra of very faint objects can be obtained. The SWAT will localize objects for further study with the narrow-field Space Telescope.

West, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultraviolet observations of M32, a cosmological comparison

The average spectral energy distribution for a sample of 3200 A. Spectral synthesis indicates that elliptical galaxies are most likely older than 9 Gyrs. The ultraviolet flux is consistent with a population of red horizontal branch stars, as those present in metal-rich globular clusters. Data for distant (Z approximately 1) first ranked cluster galaxies show indications of spectral evolution.

Spinrad, H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Positions and identifications of galactic X-ray sources

A catalog of compact Galactic X-ray sources with precise positions is presented together with a large bibliography. The catalog provides available X-ray, optical, and radio data for the 96 compact Galactic sources that have been identified and contains the most precise of the available optical, X-ray, or radio positions, the maximum and minimum published intensities, references to finding charts, and a comprehensive referenced list of X-ray, optical, and radio characteristics. The catalog also includes X-ray sources in the Magellanic clouds as well as all unidentified hard (greater than 2 keV) compact sources with an error radius of less than 60 arcsec and a Galactic latitude of less than 10 deg (absolute value). The sources list includes 14 X-ray Doppler or eclipsing binaries, seven or eight other X-ray pulsators, 23 transients or X-ray novae, 15 persistent bright bulge sources, seven X-ray sources associated with globular clusters, nine bursters, seven Galactic Center sources, and 18 other identified sources.

Bradt, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Galaxy spectral synthesis. II - M32 and the ages of galaxies

The paper presents a population synthesis performed on absolute spectrophotometry for the central 31 in. of M32. The metallicity of M32 is solar with 0.1 dex, implying that major star formation continued in M32 until 5 Gyr ago, or 10 Gyr after the oldest globular clusters formed. The synthesis models predict that the rate of mass return to the interstellar medium in M32 from evolving stars is about 0.0008 solar mass/yr; however, the upper limit for star formation during the past 1 Gyr is about 0.003/yr, showing that the available optical observations do not exclude complete recycling of gas lost during stellar evolution into new generations of stars.

Oconnell, R. W.↗