arXiv subjects

H. Marshall

Publications and source records attributed to H. Marshall.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

NuSTAR reveals the hidden nature of SS433

SS433 is the only Galactic binary system known to persistently accrete at highly super-critical (or hyper-critical) rates, similar to those in tidal disruption events, and likely needed to explain the rapid growth of those very high redshift quasars containing massive SMBHs. Probing the inner regions of SS433 in the X-rays is crucial to understanding this system, and super-critical accretion in general, but is highly challenging due to obscuration by the surrounding wind, driven from the accretion flow. NuSTAR observed SS433 in the hard X-ray band across multiple phases of its 162 day super-orbital precession period. Spectral-timing tools allow us to infer that the hard X-ray emission from the inner regions is likely being scattered towards us by the walls of the wind-cone. By comparing to numerical models, we determine an intrinsic X-ray luminosity of $\ge$ 2$\times$10$^{37}$ erg/s and that, if viewed face on, we would infer an apparent luminosity of $>$ 1$\times$10$^{39}$ erg/s, confirming SS433's long-suspected nature as an ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX). We present the discovery of a narrow, $\sim 100$s lag due to atomic processes occurring in outflowing material travelling at least 0.14-0.29c, which matches absorption lines seen in ULXs and -- in the future -- will allow us to map a super-critical outflow for the first time.

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arXiv2013

A Census of X-ray gas in NGC 1068: Results from 450ks of Chandra HETG Observation

We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) on the Chandra X-ray observatory. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum (RRC) emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas, and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(xi)=1 -- 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3 Msun/yr assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

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arXiv2012

Spectral Analysis of 1H0707-495 with XMM-Newton

We present the results of a 500 ksec long XMM-Newton observation and a 120 ksec long quasi-simultaneous Chandra observation of the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H0707-495 performed in 2010 September. Consistent with earlier results by Fabian et al. (2009) and Zoghbi et al. (2010), the spectrum is found to be dominated by relativistically broadened reflection features from an ionised accretion disc around a maximally rotating black hole. Even though the spectra changed between this observation and earlier XMM-Newton observations, the physical parameters of the black hole and accretion disc (i.e., spin and inclination) are consistent between both observations. We show that this reflection spectrum is slightly modified by absorption in a mildly relativistic, highly ionised outflow which changed velocity from around 0.11c to 0.18c between 2008 January and 2010 September. Alternative models, in which the spectral shape is dominated by absorption, lead to spectral fits of similar quality, however, the parameters inferred for the putative absorber are unphysical.

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arXiv2004

A Mass Measurement for the Missing Baryons in the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium via the X-ray Forest

Recent Cosmological measurements indicate that baryons comprise about four percent of the total mass-energy density of the Universe, which is in accord with the predictions arising from studies of the production of the lightest elements. It also is in agreement with the actual number of baryons detected at early times (redshifts>2). However, close to our own epoch (z<2), the number of baryons actually detected add up to just over half (~55 percent) of the number seen at z>2, meaning that about 45 percent are 'missing'. Here we report a determination of the mass-density of a previously undetected population of baryons, in the warm-hot phase of the intergalactic medium. We show that this mass-density is consistent, within the uncertainties, with the mass-density of the missing baryons.

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arXiv2002

Chandra Detection of X-ray Absorption from Local Warm/Hot Gas

Recently, with the Chandra X-ray Telescope we have detected several local X-ray absorption lines along lines-of-sight towards distant quasars. These absorption lines are produced by warm/hot gas located in local intergalactic space and/or in our Galaxy. I will present our observations and discuss the origin of the X-ray absorption and its implications in probing the warm/hot component of local baryons.

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arXiv2000

The Chandra Multi-wavelength Project (ChaMP): a serendipitous survey with Chandra archival data

The launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory in July 1999 opened a new era in X-ray astronomy. Its unprecedented, <0.5" spatial resolution and low background are providing views of the X-ray sky 10-100 times fainter than previously possible. We have initiated a serendipitous survey (ChaMP) using Chandra archival data to flux limits covering the range between those reached by current satellites and those of the small area Chandra deep surveys. We estimate the survey will cover ~5 sq.deg./year to X-ray fluxes (2-10 keV) in the range 1E(-13)-6E(-16) erg/cm^2/s discovering ~2000 new X-ray sources, ~80% of which are expected to be AGN. The ChaMP has two parts, the extragalactic survey (ChaMP) and the galactic plane survey (ChaMPlane). ChaMP promises profoundly new science return on a number of key questions at the current frontier of many areas of astronomy including (1) locating and studying high redshift clusters and so constraining cosmological parameters (2) defining the true population of AGN, including those that are absorbed, and so constraining the accretion history of the universe, (3) filling in the gap in the luminosity/redshift plane between Chandra deep and previous surveys in studying the CXRB, (4) studying coronal emission from late-type stars and (5) search for CVs and quiescent Low-Mass X-ray Binaries (qLXMBs) to measure their luminosity functions. In this paper we summarize the status, predictions and initial results from the X-ray analysis and optical imaging.

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arXiv2000

Complex Spectral Variability from Intensive Multi-wavelength Monitoring of Mrk421 in 1998

We conducted a multi-frequency campaign for the TeV blazar Mrk~421 in 1998 April. The campaign started from a pronounced high amplitude flare recorded by SAX and Whipple; ASCA observation started three days later. In the X-ray data, we detected multiple flares, occuring on time scales of about one day. ASCA data clearly reveal spectral variability. The comparison of the data from ASCA, EUVE and RXTE indicates that the variability amplitudes in the low energy synchrotron component are larger at higher photon energies. In TeV Gamma-rays, large intra-day variations -- which were correlated with the X-ray flux -- were observed when results from three Cherenkov telescopes are combined. The RMS variability of TeV Gamma--rays was similar to that observed in hard X-rays, above 10 keV. The X-ray light curve reveals flares which are almost symmetric for most of cases, implying the dominant time scale is the light crossing time through the emitting region. The structure function analysis based on the continuous X-ray light curve of seven days indicates that the characteristic time scale is ~0.5 day. The analysis of ASCA light curves in various energy bands appears to show both soft (positive) and hard (negative) lags. These may not be real, as systematic effects could also produce these lags, which are all much smaller than an orbit. If the lags of both signs are real, these imply that the particle acceleration and X-ray cooling time scales are similar.

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arXiv2000

EUVE Observations of Hercules X-1 During a Short High State Turn-On

Observations of Hercules X-1 by the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) covering low state and the early part of the Short High state are reported here. This is the first EUV observation of this part of the 35-day cycle of Her X-1. The low state portion of the EUV light curve (prior to the start of the Short High state) has similar properties as that following the end of the Short High state (Leahy and Marshall, 1999). This is evidence that the low state EUV emission is primarily due to EUV reflection from the companion star HZ Her. The EUV lightcurve during the Short High state is pulsed and closely resembles the average 2-12 keV X-ray Short High state lightcurve indicating that the EUV emission, like the X-ray emission, originates near the neutron star. The Short High state EUV spectrum is consistent with a blackbody of temperature 0.13 keV and radius 230 km. The Short High state EUV spectrum and pulse shape are similar to that in the soft X-rays (0.1 - 1 keV). The most likely origin of the EUV emission is reprocessed X-rays from the inner edge of the accretion disk, and the radius of the inner edge of the accretion disk is likely to be small, consistent with that determined from analysis of the X-ray pulse shape evolution (Scott, Leahy and Wilson, 2000).

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arXiv2000

ChaMP and the High Redshift Quasars in X-rays

Chandra X-ray Observatory, (formerly known as AXAF), will observe down to the flux limit of 2\times 10^{-16} erg~s^{-1} cm^{-2}. In its first year of operation Chandra's CCD detectors will observe over 1500 quasars serendipitously in the soft (0.5--3.5 keV) band. Over 200 quasars will be detected in X-rays in the redshift range 3<z<4 and over 400 quasars in 2<z<3. This will enable us to determine the high redshift X-ray luminosity function. This is the contribution by unabsorbed sources only. The total numbers would be larger by about 60%

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arXiv1999

EUVE Observations of Her X-1 at the End of the Short High State

Observations of Her X-1 by the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) at the end of the x-ray Short High state are reported here. Her X-1 is found to exhibit a strong orbital modulation of the EUV flux, with a large dip superposed on a broad peak around orbital phase 0.5 when the neutron star is closest the observer. Alternate mechanisms for producing the observed EUV lightcurve are modeled. We conclude that: i) the x-ray heated surface of the companion is too cool to produce enough emission; ii) the accretion disk can produce enough emission but does not explain the orbital modulation; iii) reflection of x-rays off of the companion can produce the shape and intensity of the observed lightcurve. The only viable cause for the large dip at orbital phase 0.5 is shadowing of the companion by the accretion disk.

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arXiv1997

Multiwavelength Monitoring of the BL Lacertae Object PKS 2155-304 in May 1994. III. Probing the Inner Jet through Multiwavelength Correlations

In May 1994 the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304 was observed continuously for ~10 d with IUE and EUVE and for 2 d with ASCA, as well as with ROSAT and with ground- based radio, IR, and optical telescopes. The light curves show a well-defined X-ray flare (x2 increase in 1/2 d, with similar decay) followed by a broader, lower amplitude EUV flare ~1 day later, and a broad, low-amplitude UV flare ~2 d later (amplitude ~35%, duration >2 d). In the preceding week there was at least one X-ray flare of comparable amplitude or perhaps ongoing stochastic X-ray variations. An extremely rapid change in UV flux was seen at the beginning of the IUE observation. Assuming the central X-ray, EUV, and UV events are associated, the lags, the decrease of amplitude with wavelength, and the broadening of the temporal profile with wavelength are all qualitatively as expected for synchrotron emission from an inhomogeneous relativistic jet. We can rule out a Fermi-type shock acceleration event or a pair cascade in a homogeneous synchrotron-emitting region. A homogeneous region is still possible if there was an instantaneous (t<<hours) injection of high energy electrons that emit first at X-ray energies. Alternatively, the data are consistent with a compression wave or other disturbance crossing a region with stratified particle energy distributions (e.g., behind a shock front and/or in an inhomogeneous jet). The present light curves are in sharp contrast to November 1991, when the amplitude was wavelength independent and the UV lagged the X-rays by less than ~3 hours. This means that the origin of rapid multiwavelength variability in this blazar is complex, involving at least two different modes. (abbreviated abstract)

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