Discovery of a large X-ray burst from an X-ray nova, Centaurus X-4. (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

;

• Inoue, H. ;
• Koyama, K. ;
• Makishima, K. ;
• Murakami, T. ;
• Oda, M. ;
• Ogawara, Y. ;
• Ohashi, T. ;
• Shibazaki, N. ;
• Tanaka, Y. ;
• Kondo, I. ;
• Hayakawa, S. ;
• Kunieda, H. ;
• Makino, F. ;
• Masai, K. ;
• Nagase, F. ;
• Tawara, Y. ;
• Miyamoto, S. ;
• Tsunemi, H. ;
• Yamashita, K.

Abstract

The X-ray satellite Hakucho detected an X-ray burst from the nova-like transient Cen X-4 on May 31, 1979. The time profile and the spectral softening of the burst show the same properties as those of a type I X-ray burst. The peak intensity of approximately 25 times the Crab in the energy range 1.5-12 keV is the strongest X-ray burst observed so far. The burst occurred during a nova-like outburst which is similar to one observed in 1969. The present discovery suggests that a soft transient source such as Cen X-4 comprises a neutron star and a late dwarf and can be an X-ray burster.

Publication:

The Astrophysical Journal

Pub Date:

September 1980

DOI:

10.1086/183340

Bibcode:

1980ApJ...240L.137M

Keywords:

• Binary Stars;
• Light Curve;
• Neutron Stars;
• Novae;
• X Ray Sources;
• Energy Spectra;
• Optical Properties;
• Stellar Luminosity;
• Stellar Mass Accretion;
• Astrophysics;
• X-Ray Bursts:X-Ray Novae