arXiv subjects

G. Hasinger

Publications and source records attributed to G. Hasinger.

213 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

Clustering of X-ray selected Active Galactic Nuclei

A total of 235 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) from two different soft X-ray surveys (the ROSAT Deep Survey -DRS- and the ROSAT International X-ray Optical Survey -RIXOS-) with redshifts between 0 and 3.5 are used to study the clustering of X-ray selected AGN and its evolution. A 2 sigma significant detection of clustering of such objects is found on scales <40-80/h Mpc in the RIXOS sample, while no clustering is detected on any scales in the DRS sample. Assuming a single power law model for the spatial correlation function (SCF), quantitative limits on the AGN clustering have been obtained: a comoving correlation length 1.5<~ r_0 <~ 3.3/h Mpc is implied for comoving evolution, while 1.9 <~ r_0 <~ 4.8 for stable clustering and 2.2 <~ r_0 <~ 5.5 for linear evolution. These values are consistent with the correlation lengths and evolutions obtained for galaxy samples, but imply smaller amplitude or faster evolution than recent UV and optically selected AGN samples. We also constrain the ratio of bias parameters between X-ray selected AGN and IRAS galaxies to be <~1.7 on scales <~ 10/h Mpc, a significantly smaller value than is inferred from local large-scale dynamical studies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

The Cosmic X-ray Background spectrum observed with ROSAT and ASCA

We have made a series of joint spectral fits for two blank fields, the Lockman Hole and the Lynx-3A field, where a significant amount of both ASCA and ROSAT PSPC data exist after thorough screenings. The ASCA SIS, GIS and ROSAT PSPC spectra from these fields have been fitted simultaneously. Comparison at E>1$keV shows general agreement within 10% in the Lockman Hole data and a 20-30% disagreement in the Lynx-3A data, indicating remaining observation-dependent systematic problems. In both cases, satisfactory fits have been found for the overall 0.1-10 keV spectrum with an extragalactic power-law component (or a broken power-law component with steepening at E<1 keV), a hard thermal component with plasma temperature of kT\approx 0.14 keV and a soft thermal component kT\approx 0.07 keV.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Optical and X-ray properties of the RIXOS AGN: II - Emission lines

We present the optical and UV emission line properties of 160 X-ray selected AGN taken from the RIXOS survey (including Halpha, Hbeta, [OIII]5007, MgII2798 and CIII]1909). This sample is believed to contain a mixture of absorbed and unabsorbed objects, with column densities up to 4e21 cm-2. Although the distribution of the [OIII] EW for the RIXOS AGN is typical of optically selected samples, the Balmer line EWs are relatively low. This is consistent with the presence of a dust absorber between the broad and narrow line regions (eg. a molecular torus), and intrinsically weak optical line emission. We find Baldwin effects in CIII] and MgII, and a positive response of the MgII line to its ionizing continuum. There is a strong correlation between the EW and FWHM of MgII, which may be similar to that seen in other samples for Hbeta. We demonstrate that this is consistent with models which suggest two line-emitting zones, a `very broad line region' (VBLR) and an `intermediate line region' (ILR). The correlation between EW and FWHM in MgII may be a physical characteristic of the ILR or it may reflect a geometric dependence. We found no correlation between the Hbeta FWHM and the slope of the X-ray spectrum, however this may be due to the effects of dust absorption which suppresses the broad Hbeta component, masking any relationship. The Halpha FWHM does tend to be narrow when alpha_X is soft, and broadens as alpha_X hardens, although the formal probability for this correlation is low (91 per cent). If the distribution of alpha_X in the RIXOS sample reflects the level of intrinsic absorption in these AGN, the data suggest a possible link between the velocity of the Balmer line-emitting region and the amount of absorbing material beyond.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

RX J2115.7-5840: a short-period, asynchronous polar

We report phase-resolved optical polarimetric, photometric and spectroscopic observations of RX J2115.7-5840 (= EUVE J2115-58.6, Craig 1996) which confirms the system to be a magnetic cataclysmic binary of the polar (AM Herculis) subclass. The optical light curve is sometimes flat and occasionally displays a pronounced bright phase, reminiscent of the self-eclipse of a small accretion spot by the revolving white dwarf, as seen in self-eclipsing polars. Our period search reveals ambiguous results only which can be interpret assuming that the white dwarf is not synchronously rotating with the binary orbit. We find circularly polarized cyclotron radiation with V/I ranging from 0% to -15% on one occasion, from -8% to +15% on another occasion. Compared with other polars, the self-occulted accretion region of RXJ2115 had an extreme red cyclotron spectrum. In addition, the system has an extreme hard X-ray colour during the ROSAT all-sky survey observation. Both properties suggest a low value of the magnetic field strength, and our best estimate gives B = 11+-2 MG. Due to the absence of significant M-star features in our low-resolution spectra we estimate the minimum distance to RXJ2115 to be d > 250pc (for an M5+ secondary star).

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Ginga observations of Cygnus X-2

We analysed all X-ray data on the low-mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-2 obtained with Ginga. The analysis of the spectral and fast timing behaviour of these 4 years of data provides new insights in the behaviour of this Z source. We confirm the previously observed recurrent patterns of behaviour in the X-ray colour-colour and hardness-intensity diagrams (HIDs) consisting of shifts and shape changes in the Z track. The source behaviour is correlated with overall intensity. When the overall intensity increases, the mean velocity of the motion along the normal branch (NB) of the Z track increase, as well as the width of the NB in the HID. Contrary to previous results we find that, during different observations, when the source is at the same position in the NB of the Z track the rapid X-ray variability differs significantly. During the Kuulkers et al. (1996) ``medium'' level, a normal branch quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) is detected, which is not seen during the ``high'' overall intensity level. During the high overall intensity level episodes the very-low frequency noise on the lower NB is very strong, whereas during the medium overall intensity level episodes this noise component at the same position in the Z track is much weaker. The explanation of the different overall intensity levels with a precessing accretion disk is difficult to reconcile with our data. Furthermore, the frequency of the horizontal branch QPO decreases when Cyg X-2 enters the upper NB, giving a model dependent upper limit on the magnetic field strength at the magnetic equator of ~8.5x10^9 G. We also report 5 bursts, with durations of ~5 s, whose occurrence are uncorrelated with location in the Z track, overall intensity level or orbital phase. The burst properties indicate that they are not regular type I bursts.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

ROSAT Public PSPC Observations in the Las Campanas Redshift Survey

The Las Campanas Redshift Survey, an optically selected survey which contains 26,418 galaxy redshifts, has been correlated with ``The First ROSAT Source Catalogue of Pointed Observations with the PSPC,'' which contains 50,408 sources from 2876 ROSAT pointed observations. Ten matches were found. The optical spectra of most of the ten matches show weak narrow emission lines. Due to their high x-ray luminosities, their high x-ray--to--optical flux ratios, and the evidence of rapid x-ray variability in the two brightest matches, we interpret the majority of these objects to be narrow-line Seyfert galaxies or ``hidden'' active galactic nuclei. Of the ten matches, only one galaxy shows the characteristics of a bona fide starburst.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Search for correlations between COBE DMR and ROSAT PSPC All-Sky survey data

Results from a cross-correlation analysis between the COBE DMR 4 year, and ROSAT PSPC All-Sky Survey data are presented. Statistical comparisons between microwave and X-ray maps can probe interesting astrophysical environments and processes, such as e.g. the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in clusters of galaxies or the Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect. In order to test the diffuse, extragalactic X-ray background as probed by ROSAT, against the COBE DMR large-scale CMB structure, our analysis was performed in most detail in a ROSAT selected region of the sky (40 deg < b, 70 < l < 250 deg) in an X-ray energy range with minimal Galactic structure and residual X-ray contamination. Comparing to other regions of the sky and neighbouring energies and frequencies, we find indication for a positive Galactic correlation on large scales. Removing a quadrupole term on a sky map with a Galactic cutout or related gradients in the selected regions leaves no correlations above a 1-sigma level on smaller angular scales. We conclude that there is no significant extragalactic correlation on scales for which the combined data are sensitive (7 deg - 40 deg) and that Galactic correlation is significant only on angular scales of the order of the quadrupole. In the context of removing large angular scale gradients we give results on best fit X-ray dipoles from various ROSAT data and discuss these with respect to the difficulty of finding a cosmological dipole. The lowest correlation upper limits we can place are about 15 % of COBE CMB fluctuations and about 10 % of the ROSAT extragalactic XRB fluctuations. We discuss these results with respect to possible correlation mechanisms.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

The X-ray lightcurve of SN 1987A

X-ray observations of SN 1987A in the Magellanic Clouds have been performed throughout the ROSAT mission, using the PSPC and the HRI detectors. We present the X-ray light curve based on all observations in the years 1991-1995. For the first time a significant increase of the X-ray flux from SN 1987A can be seen, corresponding to X-ray luminosities (0.5-2 keV) of 0.8 - 2.2 X 10**34 erg/s about 4 - 8 years after the explosion. SN 1987A is surrounded by a ringlike nebula, which is thought to form the interface between the blue-supergiant wind and the denser red-supergiant wind of the progenitor. The X-ray data can constrain the density of the matter inside the ring to about 30 amu/cm**3 and the date at which the blast wave will reach the ring to about AD 2003, when a dramatic brightening is expected to occur. Nevertheless, other interpretations of the X-ray emission are possible.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

The Long-Term X-Ray Lightcurve of RX J0527.8-6954

We present further observational data of the supersoft X-ray source RX J0527.8-6954 exhibiting a continuous decline over the past 5 yrs. With no clear trend of a concordant temperature decrease this might suggest an evolutionary scenario where the white dwarf leaves the steady burning branch and the combined effect of reduced luminosity and cooling at constant radius produces the observed effect. We also use the on-axis ROSAT HRI pointings to derive an improved X-ray position and supply a finding chart for the counterpart search.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Optical and X-ray properties of the RIXOS AGN: I - The continua

We present measurements of the optical and X-ray continua of 108 AGN (Seyfert 1s and quasars) from the Rosat International X-ray/Optical Survey (RIXOS). The sample covers a wide range in redshift (0<z<3.3), in X-ray spectral slope (-1.5 <ax<2.6) and in optical-to-X-ray ratio (0.4$<aox<1.5). A correlation is found between ax and aox; similar correlations have recently been reported in other X-ray and optical samples. We also identify previously unreported relationships between the optical slope (aopt) and ax (particularly at high redshifts) and between aopt and aox. These trends show that the overall optical-to-X-ray conti nuum changes from convex to concave as ax hardens, demonstrating a strong beha vioural link between the optical/UV big blue bump (BBB) and the soft X-ray ex cess, which is consistent with them being part of the same spectral component. By constructing models of the optical-to-X-ray continuum, we demonstrate that the observed correlations are consistent with an intrinsic spectrum which is ab sorbed through different amounts of cold gas and dust. The intrinsic spectrum is the sum of an optical-to-soft X-ray `big bump' component and an ax=1 power law; the column density of the cold gas ranges from 0 to ~4E21 cm-2 and the dust-to-gas ratio is assumed to be Galactic. The `big bump' may be represented by a T~1E6 K thermal bremsstrahlung or an accretion disk with a surrounding hot corona. The scatter in the data can accommodate a wide range in big bump tempe rature (or black hole mass) and strength. A source for the absorbing gas may be the dusty, molecular torus which lies beyond the broad line-emitting regions, although with a much lower column density than observed in Seyfert 2 galaxies. Alternatively, it may be the bulge of a spiral host galaxy or an elliptical host galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

The Luminosity Function Evolution of Soft X--ray selected AGN in the RIXOS survey

A sample of 198 soft X--ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the ROSAT International X--ray Optical Survey (RIXOS), is used to investigate the X--ray luminosity function and its evolution. RIXOS, with a flux limit of 3E-14 erg s-1 cm-2 (0.5 to 2.0 keV), samples a broad range in redshift over 20 deg^2 of sky, and is almost completely identified; it is used in combination with the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey (EMSS), to give a total sample of over 600 AGN. We find the evolution of AGN with redshift to be consistent with pure luminosity evolution (PLE) models in which the rate of evolution slows markedly or stops at high redshifts z>1.8. We find that this result is not affected by the inclusion, or exclusion, of narrow emission line galaxies at low redshift in the RIXOS and EMSS samples, and is insensitive to uncertainties in the conversion between flux values measured with ROSAT and Einstein. We confirm, using a model independent Ve/Va test, that our survey is consistent with no evolution at high redshifts.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

The long-term X-ray lightcurve of RX J0527.8--6954

Supersoft X-ray sources are commonly believed to be stably burning white dwarfs. However, the observations of some supersoft sources show dramatic variability of their X-ray flux on timescales ranging from days to years. Here, we present further observational data of the supersoft X-ray source RX J0527.8--6954 exhibiting a continuous decline over the past 5 yrs. With no clear trend of a concordant temperature decrease this might suggest a evolutionary scenario where the WD leaves the steady burning branch and the combined effect of reduced luminosity and cooling at constant radius produces the observed effect.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Identification of the soft X-ray excess in Cygnus X-1 with disc emission

We present results of a study of the soft X-ray excess in the black hole candidate Cygnus X-1 made with the {\it Rosat PSPC}, using observations taken during persistent emission at orbital phases close to 0.5. The soft excess can be well fitted as a blackbody with temperature $\rm {kT_{bb}}$ = $\rm {0.13\pm 0.02}$ keV. $\rm {kT_{bb}}$ did not vary appreciably with intensity of the source. By assuming that the distance of the source is its lower limit of 2.5 kpc, a luminosity of the soft excess of $\rm {4.7\cdot 10^{36}}$ erg $\rm {s^{-1}}$ was obtained. From this, disc temperatures were calculated as a function of radius, assuming the compact object to be a 10 $\rm{M_{\sun}}$ black hole, in particular, the temperature at 7 Schwarzschild radii expected to be highly representative of the total disc emission. This was found to be 0.13 keV, in very good agreement with the spectral fitting result. This good agreement strongly supports the identification of the soft excess with emission from the disc around a black hole.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The Deficit of Distant Galaxy Clusters in the RIXOS X-ray Survey

Clusters of galaxies are the largest gravitationally bound systems and therefore provide an important way of studying the formation and evolution of the large scale structure of the Universe. Cluster evolution can be inferred from observations of the X-ray emission of the gas in distant clusters, but interpreting these data is not straightforward. In a simplified view, clusters grow from perturbations in the matter distribution: their intracluster gas is compressed and shock-heated by the gravitational collapse$^{1}$. The resulting X-ray emission is determined by the hydrostatic equilibrium of the gas in the changing gravitational potential. However, if processes such as radiative cooling or pre-collapse heating of the gas are important, then the X-ray evolution will be strongly influenced by the thermal history of the gas. Here we present the first results from a faint flux-limited sample of X-ray selected clusters compiled as part of the ROSAT International X-ray and Optical Survey (RIXOS). Very few distant clusters have been identified. Most importantly, their redshift distribution appears to be inconsistent with simple models based on the evolution of the gravitational potential. Our results suggest that radiative cooling or non-gravitational heating of the intracluster gas must play an important role in the evolution of clusters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1994

The contribution of AGNs to the X-ray background

We report the results of a detailed analysis of the contribution of various classes of AGNs to the extragalactic X-ray background (XRB). The model is based on the unification schemes of AGNs and on their related X-ray spectral properties in the light of recent observational results. The integrated emission from AGNs, when folded with an appropriate cosmological evolution law, can provide a good fit to the XRB over a wide energy range, from several to $\sim$ 100 keV, while it contributes only about 74\% of the ROSAT soft XRB. The model predictions have been checked against all available observational constraints from both hard and soft X-ray surveys (counts, redshift distributions and average X-ray source spectral properties).

astro-ph↗