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Observation of a Black-Hole X-ray Nova in Outburst with INTEGRAL

P. Goldoni·A. Goldwurm·P. Laurent·F. Lebrun·B. Cordier
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Abstract

We simulate the observation of a bright Nova Musca-like X-ray nova during outburst with INTEGRAL, the next ESA gamma-ray space observatory. We will show how performances of the INTEGRAL instruments allow deep study of X-ray Novae and will evaluate the scientific output that INTEGRAL will provide on this class of transient gamma-ray sources, which are now believed to contain black holes in low mass binary systems. The variable high-energy feature around 511 keV observed from X-ray Nova Musca in 1991 by the SIGMA telescope would be detected by INTEGRAL at very high significance level. INTEGRAL data will permit to set important constraints on the models and allow to distinguish between electron-positron or nuclear de-excitation origin of the line. Characteristic spectral and timing features detected by INTEGRAL instruments over a very large energy band will also provide clues to understand physics of accretion in these black holes binaries and in particular to distinguish between thermal and non-thermal origin of radiation and to assess the role of bulk motion comptonization.

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P. Goldoni, A. Goldwurm, P. Laurent, F. Lebrun, B. Cordier. 2001-02-21. Observation of a Black-Hole X-ray Nova in Outburst with INTEGRAL. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0102362

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