Searcharxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · astro-ph/0309775

The variable quiescence of Cen X-4

S. Campana·G. L. Israel·L. Stella·F. Gastaldello·S. Mereghetti
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Cen X-4 is one of the best studied low-mass neutron star transients in quiescence. Thanks to XMM-Newton large throughput, Cen X-4 was observed at the highest signal to noise ever. This allowed us to disclose rapid (>100 s), large (45+/-7 rms in the 10^{-4}-1 Hz range) intensity variability, especially at low energies. In order to highlight the cause of this variability, we divided the data into intensity intervals and fit the resulting spectra with the canonical model for neutron star transients in quiescence, i.e. an absorbed power law plus a neutron star atmosphere. The fit is consistent with a variable column density plus variability in (at least) one of the spectral models. Variations in the neutron star atmosphere might suggest that accretion onto the neutron star surface is occuring in quiescence; variations in the power law tail should support the view of an active millisecond radio pulsar emitting X-rays at the shock between a radio pulsar wind and inflowing matter from the companion star.

Explore related subjects

astro-ph

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

S. Campana, G. L. Israel, L. Stella, F. Gastaldello, S. Mereghetti. 2003-09-29. The variable quiescence of Cen X-4. https://doi.org/10.1086/380194

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2019

Classical analysis of the rotational dynamic of spiral galaxies: Quo Vadis Dark Matter?

In this paper we study a stellar dynamic model for the stars' rotational-dynamics, with a distribution of its own mass, rotating around its center with a higher density, like spiral galaxies happen, by means of a classical calculus of the rotation velocities of a particle around its rotational axis, inside a smoothed distribution of matter. The stars are supposed to be particles and their distribution in the galaxy is modelled as a matter distribution inversely proportional to its distance from its center. Two kinds of matter distribution are supposed: one with constant density, and other with radial distribution. Two types of galaxy symmetry are also considered: spherical and oblate ellipsoidal. Using only classical mechanics arguments it is shown that the calculated velocity distribution inside the galaxy is similar to that obtained from astronomical observations, without the necessity of suppose the existence of dark matter or other phenomena.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2019

AIRES: A system for air shower simulations

The AIRES (AIR-shower Extended Simulations) system is a set of programs and subroutines to realistically simulate particle showers produced after the incidence of high energy cosmic rays on the Earth's atmosphere, and to manage all the related output data. The current version includes a series of improvements with respect to previous releases that are explained in detail in this manual and/or the web site aires.fisica.unlp.edu.ar from where the software can be downloaded. Among such improvements, it is worth mentioning: (i) High energy hadronic collisions can be simulated usign the the well-known hadronic models EPOS, QGSJET, or SIBYLL, all of them in their LHC-tuned versions. (ii) Detailed simulation of unstable hadron decays. (iii) The inclusion of a series of pre-compiled, ready to use, external special particle modules, that are characteristic of AIRES since its early versions. Such modules allow, for example, to easily simulate multi-primary particle showers. (iv) An exhaustive revision of the atmospheric profile models, including annual average profiles for geographcal locations corresponding to currently in operation ultra-high energu shower observatories; and also the capability of accepting user-defined custom atmospheric profiles.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2019

A new paradigm for the universe

This book provides a completely new approach to understanding the universe. The main idea is that the principal objects in the universe form a spectrum unified by the presence of a massive or hypermassive black hole. These objects are variously called quasars, active galaxies and spiral galaxies. The key to understanding their dynamics is angular momentum and the key tool, and main innovative idea of this work, is a proper formulation of "Mach's principle" using Sciama's ideas. In essence, what is provided here is a totally new paradigm for the universe. In this paradigm, there is no big bang, and the universe is many orders of magnitude older than current estimates for its age. Indeed there is no natural limit for its age.

astro-ph↗