L. Cominsky

X-ray observations of the burst source MXB 1728 - 34

Where sufficient information has been obtained, attention is given to the maximum burst flux, integrated burst flux, spectral hardness, rise time, etc., of 96 X-ray bursts observed from March 1976 to March 1979. The integrated burst flux and the burst frequency appear to be correlated; the longer the burst interval, the larger the integrated burst flux, as expected on the basis of simple thermonuclear flash models. The maximum burst flux and the integrated burst flux are strongly correlated; for low flux levels their dependence is approximately linear, while for increasing values of the integrated burst flux, the flux at burst maximum saturates and reaches a plateau.

Orbital elements of 4U 0115+63 and the nature of the hard X-ray transients

Extended SAS 3 timing observations of the hard transient X-ray source 4U 0115+63 are reported, and a definitive measurement of the binary orbit of this transient source is presented. It is shown that this source is in a long orbit (period of approximately 24.3 days) that is moderately eccentric (e about 0.34) and that the mean value of the rate of decrease of the pulse period is consistent with the expected spinup of a rotating neutron star that is accreting from a disk. A distance of about 2.5 kpc is inferred, and the B-star optical counterpart is estimated to have an absolute magnitude of approximately -1.5 and a mass of at least 5 solar masses. It is suggested that the companion is a Be star which does not fill its Roche lobe and that the eccentricity and transient nature of the source result from the large orbital separation. It is proposed that hard X-ray transients as a class are collapsed stars (perhaps all neutron stars) in binary systems that are substantially wider than the more persistent X-ray binaries and that the large orbital separation, the small radius of the companion, or both, result in episodic rather than continuous mass transfer onto the X-ray star.

Repeatable, multiple-peaked structure in Type I X-ray bursts

A distinct, identifiable, multiple-peaked structure has been observed in Type I X-ray bursts from three sources. At energies below 6 keV, the light curves look like typical Type I bursts. At higher energies, the burst is double-peaked, with both the depth of the dip and the separation between the peaks increasing with energy. A light curve of the energy-integrated intensity shows no distinct double peak, suggesting that only a single energy release occurs. Blackbody fits to the evolving burst spectra yield changing radii and temperatures, inversely correlated, during the early part of the burst. The physical interpretation of these changes is uncertain. Burst decay spectra yield relatively constant radii with decreasing temperatures. It is proposed that Compton scattering may be responsible for the dips in the higher-energy light curves by shifting photons to lower energies.

Simultaneous U, B, V, and X-ray measurements of a burst from 4U/MXB 1636-53

Data are presented on the first simultaneous X-ray and optical burst to be measured in more than one optical color. Various analyses agree that, to a first approximation, the optical burst is produced through blackbody reprocessing of the X-ray burst, with a short delay. Depending on the technique used, the value of the delay is 2 or 3 s. The smearing of the optical signal is determined to be less than 3 s. The temperature of the optical reprocessor ranges from approximately 25,000 K at quiescence to approximately 50,000 K at burst maximum. An extinction toward the source is derived from the color-color diagram, suggesting a distance greater than or approximately equal to 2 kpc. The projected effective area of the blackbody reprocessor is approximately 5 x 10 to the 21st (D/5 kpc)-squared sq cm. The fraction of the total X-ray burst energy converted into optical energy at all wavelengths is, within an order of magnitude, approximately 3 percent. These parameters are discussed in relation to the 4 hr orbital periodicity in the system reported by Pedersen et al. (1981).

Persistent emission from X-ray burst sources and the nature of galactic bulge X-ray sources

TWO principal types of theories have been proposed to explain X-ray bursts: instabilities in the accretion flow of matter onto a collapsed object1–9, and thermonuclear flashes in the freshly accreted material on the surface of a neutron star10–16. Both mechanisms probably occur in nature but account for different observed phenomena17. The available evidence 17–19 leaves little doubt that the Type II bursts17, which are emitted by MXB1730–335 (the Rapid Burster), are due to an accretion instability. The properties of Type I bursts17, which are emitted by all burst sources (including the Rapid Burster), are naturally explained by the thermonuclear flash model15. In the light of this model, we discuss here the intrinsic persistent X-ray luminosity and the ratio of the average persistent X-ray luminosity to the time-averaged burst luminosity associated with Type I burst sources17,20,21.

X-ray burst observations of Serpens X-1

Fifty-seven X-ray bursts observed with SAS 3 in the period 1976 July to 1979 March are reported. Their general features (e.g., maximum burst flux, integrated burst flux, spectral hardness, and rise time) and the relations between them are discussed. Also a comparison is made between these burst features and the associated persistent X-ray flux. The latter appears to be correlated with the maximum burst flux; the temperature of the plasma that produces the persistent flux is roughly proportional to this flux.

The detection of an optical burst coincident with an X-ray burst from MXB 1837 + 05 /Ser X-1/

We report the detection of a simultaneous optical and X-ray from MXB 1837+05 (4U 1837+04=Ser X-1). A similar detection was made earlier from MXB 1735-44. These are the only two burst sources that have been optically observed (simultaneous with X-ray observations) at a high level of sensitivity. Therefore, it may well be that optical bursts commonly accompany X-ray bursts. The relative timing and flux ratio of the optical and X-ray bursts imply that the optical radiation is probably re-emission from X-ray heated matter within 1-2 light-seconds of the X-ray source and no more than a few light-seconds in extent. This matter may be in an accretion disk around the X-ray source or possibly in the atmosphere of a dwarf companion.

Irregular X-ray variability in the transient X-ray burst source MXB 1659-29

Irregular variability in the X-ray emission from MXB 1659-29 was observed with SAS 3 during the 1978 transient outburst of the source. No stable period can yet be derived from the low-intensity states, although there is evidence for a quasi-periodicity of either 1.2 or 1.4 hours. The low-intensity states observed in MXB 1659-29 during the transient outburst vary both in width and duration, similar to those in MXB 1916-05. The SAS 3 data are consistent with either the intermittent obscuration of the X-ray emitter by relatively cold gas or with scattering of the X-rays by hotter material.

The very long type II X-ray bursts from the rapid burster

We have observed two very long type II bursts (>200 s) from the Rapid Burster (MXB 1730-335) on 1979 March 3 UT. Similar long bursts were observed about 5 months later, in 1979 August, by the Japanese satellite Hakucho. This new burst mode is possibly related to the early stage of the turn-on. In this paper we present the results of the analysis of the bursts from the Rapid Burster as observed by the SAS 3 X-ray observatory during March 3--5.