arXiv subjects

L. Piro

Publications and source records attributed to L. Piro.

186 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv1997

BeppoSAX observation of the X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1

We report on the spectral (pulse averaged) and timing analysis of the ~ 20 ksec observation of the X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1 performed during the BeppoSAX Science Verification Phase. The source was observed in two different intensity states: the low state is probably due to an erratic intensity dip and shows a decrease of a factor ~ 2 in intensity, and a factor 10 in Nh. We have not been able to fit the 2-100 keV continuum spectrum with the standard (for an X--ray pulsar) power law modified by a high energy cutoff because of the flattening of the spectrum in ~ 10-30 keV. The timing analysis confirms previous results: the pulse profile changes from a five-peak structure for energies less than 15 keV, to a simpler two-peak shape at higher energies. The Fourier analysis shows a very complex harmonic component: up to 23 harmonics are clearly visible in the power spectrum, with a dominant first harmonic for low energy data, and a second one as the more prominent for energies greater than 15 keV. The aperiodic component in the Vela X-1 power spectrum presents a knee at about 1 Hz. The pulse period, corrected for binary motion, is 283.206 +/- 0.001 sec.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Discovery of the X-Ray Afterglow of the Gamma-Ray Burst of February 28 1997

Here we report the discovery in the X-ray band of the first afterglow of a gamma-ray burst. It was detected and quickly positioned by the Beppo-SAX satellite on 1997 February 28 (GRB970228). The X-ray afterglow source was detected with the X-ray telescopes aboard the same satellite about eight hours after the burst and faded away in a few days with a power law decay function. The energetic content of the X-ray afterglow results to be a significant fraction of gamma-ray burst energetics. The Beppo-SAX detection and fast imaging of GRB970228 started a multiwavelength campaign that lead to the identification of a fading optical source in a position consistent with the X-ray source.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Radio Monitoring of the January 11, 1997 Gamma-Ray Burst

We report on a comprehensive radio monitoring program of the bright gamma-ray burster GRB970111. These VLA observations were made at a frequency of 1.4 GHz and span a range of post-burst timescales between 28 hours and one month. Despite extensive sampling at sub-milliJansky sensitivities, no radio source was detected above 0.5 mJy in the current best error box (~14 arcmin^2) for GRB970111. A highly unusual radio source, VLA J1528.7+1945, was seen to drop in flux density by a factor of two in our monitoring period but it lies outside the error box and thus it is unlikely to be related to GRB970111. Cosmological fireball models of gamma-ray bursts make predictions of late-time emission occurring at longer wavelengths. The absence of a flaring or fading radio counterpart to GRB970111 provides strong constraints on these models.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

RXTE Observation of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy NGC4507

Preliminary results of the RXTE observation of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy NGC4507 are presented. The observed broadband [4-100 keV] spectrum is intrinsically hard (Gamma = 1.2); an iron line is detected with a relatively high equivalent width (EW = 400 eV). The remaining calibration uncertanties are briefly discussed, as well as the scientific implications of our results.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

First Results from the MECS on board BeppoSAX

In this contribution we discuss briefly a few calibration items relevant to the data analysis and present some preliminary scientific results. The discussion on instrumental topics focuses on the response matrix and Point Spread Function (PSF). In the scientific results section we discuss a first analysis of the two Seyferts MCG 6-30-15 and NGC 4151 and of the Cosmic X-ray Background.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

First Results from BeppoSAX

The X-ray satellite BeppoSAX, a major programme of the Italian space agency with participation of the Dutch space agency, was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on April 30, 1996. After a 2 months period devoted to engineering check out that confirmed the nominal functionality of the satellite and the scientific payload, we have performed a series of observations of celestial objects devoted to calibrate the instruments and verify their scientific performances. Here we will present some preliminary results obtained in this phase. They are confirming the expected scientific capabilities of the mission.

astro-ph↗