arXiv subjects

C. A. Haswell

Publications and source records attributed to C. A. Haswell.

121 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Multiwavelength observations revealing the outbursts of the two soft X-ray transients XTE J1859+226 and XTE J1118+480

We report here on multiwavelength observations of the two new soft X-ray transients (SXTs) XTE J1859+226 and XTE J1118+480, which we observed with HST/RXTE/UKIRT. For XTE J1118+480 we also used EUVE since it is located at a very high galactic latitude and suffers from very low extinction. The two sources exhibited very different behaviour. XTE J1859+226 seems quite normal and therefore a good object for testing the accretion mechanisms in place during the outbursts, XTE J1118+480 is much more unusual because it exhibits i) a low X-ray to optical ratio and ii) a strong non-thermal contribution in the radio to optical domain, which is likely to be due to synchrotron emission. We concentrate here on the near-infrared (NIR) and optical observations of these two systems.

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arXiv2001

Optical studies of the X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 - II. Phase-resolved spectroscopy

We present time-resolved spectroscopy of the soft X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 in outburst. A useful spectral coverage of 3700-6700A was achieved spanning two orbits of the binary, with single epoch coverage extending to \~9000A. The optical spectrum approximates a steep blue power-law, consistent with emission on the Rayleigh-Jeans tail of a hot black body spectrum. The strongest spectral lines are HeII 4686A and CIII/NIII 4640A (Bowen blend) in emission. Their relative strengths suggest that XTE J2123-058 was formed in the Galactic plane, not in the halo. Other weak emission lines of HeII and CIV are present and Balmer lines show a complex structure, blended with HeII. HeII 4686A profiles show a complex multiple S-wave structure with the strongest component appearing at low velocities in the lower-left quadrant of a Doppler tomogram. H alpha shows transient absorption between phases 0.35-0.55. Both of these effects appear to be analogous to similar behaviour in SW Sex type cataclysmic variables. We therefore consider whether the spectral line behaviour of XTE J2123-058 can be explained by the same models invoked for those systems.

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arXiv2000

HST Observations of Black Hole X-ray Transient Outbursts

The Hubble Space Telescope has now observed four black hole X-ray transients in outburst under an ongoing Target-of-Opportunity program: GRO J0422+32 (1994), GRO J1655-40 (1996), XTE J1859+226 (1999-2000) and XTE J1118+480 (2000). We summarise the highlights of this program to date, including a diversity of spectral energy distributions, correlated X-ray/UV/optical rapid variability and detailed UV spectroscopy.

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arXiv2000

Doppler Tomography of XTE J2123-058 and Other Neutron Star LMXBs

We describe Doppler tomography obtained in the 1998 outburst of the neutron star low mass X-ray binary (LMXB) XTE J2123-058. This analysis, and other aspects of phase-resolved spectroscopy, indicate similarities to SW Sex systems, except that anomalous emission kinematics are seen in HeII, whilst phase 0.5 absorption is confined to H alpha. This separation of these effects may provide tighter constraints on models in the LMXB case than is possible for SW Sex systems. We will compare results for other LMXBs which appear to show similar kinematics and discuss how models for the SW Sex phenomenon can be adapted to these systems. Finally we will summarise the limited Doppler tomography performed on the class of neutron star LMXBs as a whole, and discuss whether any common patterns can yet be identified.

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arXiv2000

The X-ray transient XTE J1118+480: Multiwavelength observations of a low-state mini-outburst

We present multiwavelength observations of the newly discovered X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 obtained in the rising phase of the 2000 April outburst. This source is located at unusually high Galactic latitude and in a very low absorption line of sight. This made the first EUVE spectroscopy of an X-ray transient outburst possible. Together with our HST, RXTE, and UKIRT data this gives unprecedented spectral coverage. We find the source in the low hard state. The flat IR-UV spectrum appears to be a combination of optically thick disk emission and flat spectrum emission, possibly synchrotron, while at higher energies, including EUV, a typical low hard state power-law is seen. EUVE observations reveal no periodic modulation, suggesting an inclination low enough that no obscuration by the disk rim occurs. We discuss the nature of the source and this outburst and conclude that it may be more akin to mini-outbursts seen in GRO J0422+32 than to a normal X-ray transient outburst.

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arXiv2000

Discovery of High-Frequency QPOs in Black Hole Candidate XTE J1859+226

We report the discovery of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at roughly 187 Hz and 150 Hz in the X-ray intensity of X-ray nova XTE J1859+226. The source was observed during a recent outburst with RXTE. Besides these high-frequency QPOs, we have also detected QPOs (and sometimes their harmonics) at 6--7 Hz, and significant broad-band variability at low frequencies. These properties, as well as the observed hard X-ray spectrum, make XTE J1859+226 a black hole candidate (BHC). The detection of QPOs at two distinct frequencies $\gtrsim 100$ Hz in two observations separated by about 4 hours provide additional insights into the high-frequency QPO phenomenon in BHCs. The importance lies in the proposed interpretations which invariably involve the effects of strong gravity near a black hole. We compare our results to those of other BHCs, and discuss the impact of the observational data on the models in a global context.

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arXiv1999

Optical studies of the X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 - II. Phase resolved spectroscopy

We present time-resolved spectroscopy of the soft X-ray transient XTE J2123-058 in outburst. Spectral coverage of 3700-6700A was achieved spanning two orbits of the binary. The strongest emission lines are HeII 4686A and CIII/NIII 4640A (Bowen blend). Other weak emission lines of HeII and CIV are present and Balmer lines show a complex structure, possibly contaminated by HeII. HeII 4686A and CIII/NIII 4640A show different orbital light curves indicating an origin in different regions. HeII 4686A profiles show a complex multiple S-wave structure. Doppler tomography reveals this emission is not associated with the companion star, and occurs at velocities too low for Keplerian disk material. It can possibly be associated with overflowing or splashing stream material. The optical spectrum approximates a steep blue power-law, consistent with emission on the Rayleigh-Jeans tail of a black body spectrum. Orbital modulations show no wavelength dependence; this is as expected if both disk and companion star are hot enough for the peak of their spectral energy distributions to be in the UV. The hot continuum and presence of high-excitation emission lines indicate strong X-ray heating.

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arXiv1998

HST Observations of X-Ray Transients

Results from an HST/multiwavelength campaign on the 1996 outburst of GRO J1655-40 are reported. We find evidence for an approximately isothermal outer disk in GRO J1655-40 during the decline from outburst, possibly indicating the outer disk being maintained in the hot state. HST observations of GRO J0422+32 made 2 years after outburst reveal a sharply peaked optical/near UV spectrum, providing strong evidence for non-thermal emission.

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arXiv1998

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of the Black Hole X-ray Transient GRO J0422+32 Near Quiescence

We present HST/FOS ultraviolet and optical spectroscopy of the black hole X-ray transient GRO J0422+32 shortly before the system reached quiescence. We find that the accretion spectrum from 2500-9000A can be very well fit by a self-absorbed synchrotron model, with superposed HI and MgII emission lines. The explanations we suggest for this spectrum are that it is either due to active coronal regions above a geometrically thin accretion disc, or that the disc is evaporated into an advective flow.

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arXiv1998

Echoes from an Irradiated Disc in GRO J1655-40

We demonstrate correlated rapid variability between the optical/UV and X-ray emission for the first time in a soft X-ray transient, GRO J1655-40: HST light curves show similar features to those seen by RXTE, but with mean delay of 10-20s. We interpret the correlations as due to reprocessing of X-rays into optical and UV emission, with a delay due to finite light travel time, and thus perform echo mapping of the system. The time-delay distribution has a mean of 14.6s +/- 1.4 and dispersion (i.e. the standard deviation of the distribution) of 10.5s +/- 1.9 at binary phase 0.4. Hence we identify the reprocessing region as the accretion disc rather than the mass donor star.

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arXiv1998

The 1996 Outburst of GRO J1655-40: The Challenge of Interpreting the Multi-wavelength Spectra

We report on the results of a campaign to observe the SXT GRO J1655-40 in outburst using HST, XTE and GRO and AAT. This outburst was qualitatively quite different to other SXT outbursts and to previous outbursts of this source. The onset of hard X-ray activity occurred very slowly, over several months and was delayed relative to the soft X-ray rise. During this period, the optical fluxes declined steadily. This apparent anti-correlation is not consistent with the standard disc instability model of SXT outbursts, nor is it expected if the optical output is dominated by reprocessing. Using our derived reddening we find that our dereddened spectra are dominated by a component peaking in the optical with the expected nu^1/3 disc spectrum seen only in the UV. We consider possible interpretations of this spectrum in terms of thermal emission from the outer accretion disc and/or secondary star, both with and without X-ray irradiation, and also as non-thermal optical synchrotron emission from a compact self-absorbed central source. The X-ray spectra broadly resemble the high-soft state commonly seen in black hole candidates, but evolve through two substates. The outburst dataset cannot readily be interpreted by any standard model for SXT outbursts. Many of the characteristics could be interpreted with a model combining X-ray irradiation with the disc instability, but with the added ingredient of a very large disc in this long period system.

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arXiv1997

HST Observations of Black Hole X-Ray Transients

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Black Hole X-Ray Transients are discussed in the context of the disk instability outburst model. We focus on the multiwavelength campaign following GRO J1655-40 through the summer 1996 outburst.

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arXiv1997

The 1996 Outburst of GRO J1655-40

During 1996 the soft-X-ray transient and superluminal jet source GRO J1655-40 was observed in outburst with a multiwavelength campaign including HST, RXTE, CGRO and ground based facilities. Here we focus on a key question raised by the observations: where and how does the outburst optical flux originate? Any model must not only fit the optical spectra, but must account for the observation that X-ray fluxes continued to rise slowly while the optical flux declined, contrary to predictions of standard models for the outburst of SXTs and dwarf novae.

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