arXiv subjects

P. Ubertini

Publications and source records attributed to P. Ubertini.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

IBIS preliminary results on Cygnus X-1 spectral and temporal characteristics

We report preliminary results of a broadband spectral and temporal study of the black-hole binary Cyg X-1 performed with the IBIS telescope. Cyg X-1 was the first pointed celestial target of IBIS during the INTEGRAL Performance and Verification Phase, 2002 Nov.-Dec., for a total observing time of 2 Ms in both staring and dithering mode. Here, we report on only the staring, on-axis, observation performed in a stable instrument configuration. During the observing period the source was in its characteristic low/hard state, in which a few flares and dips have been detected. The IBIS/ISGRI results demonstrate that the INTEGRAL observatory offers a unique capability for studying correlations between hardness and/or flux in different bands over a wide photon energy range. One of our new results is finding that the hardness-flux correlation changes the sign twice over the 20-220 keV; first from positive to negative at 50 keV, and then back to positive at 120 keV. The former change appears to be due to the spectral curvature introduced by variable Compton reflection. The latter may be due spectral pivoting.

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arXiv2003

Early SPI/INTEGRAL measurements of galactic 511 keV line emission from positron annihilation

We report the first measurements of the 511 keV line emission from the Galactic Centre (GC) region performed with the spectrometer SPI on the space observatory INTEGRAL (International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory). Taking into account the range of spatial distribution models which are consistent with the data, we derive a flux of $9.9^{+4.7}_{-2.1} \times 10^{-4}$ ph cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ and an intrinsic line width of $2.95^{+0.45}_{-0.51}$ keV (FWHM). The results are consistent with other high-spectroscopy measurements, though the width is found to be at the upper bound of previously reported values.

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arXiv2003

Systematic effects induced on IBIS detectors by background and inhomogeneity of the spatial response

The spatial distribution of the background events may affect the source detection capability of IBIS at high energies (> 200 keV) for both ISGRI and PICsIT layers. The observed background is found to be variable and spatially structured, and in some cases its properties strongly deviate from the expected statistical behaviour. Background correction methods are then necessary to improve the quality of the shadowgrams obtained from sources. In order to perform an efficient flat-fielding the response of the detector to both source gamma-rays and background events is investigated using data from Monte Carlo simulations and in-flight calibration observations.

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arXiv2003

First IBIS results on the high energy emission of Cyg X-2

The bright low-mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2 was in the field of view of the IBIS telescope during the early Cygnus region observations, executed during the INTEGRAL Performance Verification Phase. The data presented are spanning about one week and cover the rising edge of one of the two peaks of the ~ 82 day cycle of the Cyg X-2 light curve. The IBIS data in the energy range 20-40 keV exhibit flux variation correlated with the RXTE/ASM light curve. Two different main exposures, separated by ~ 5 days are found to be characterized by sensibly different spectra, with significant softening and higher X-ray luminosity in the second part, coincident with the long-term cycle peak. At high energies, both measured spectra are very steep. The ratio of the 30-45 keV and 20-30 keV detected fluxes is ~ 0.30, against a value of 0.95 expected for a Crab-like spectrum. No positive detection exists for E > 45 keV, with a flux upper limit (5 sigma) of ~1.4E-10 erg cm-2 s-1$ in the 45-100 keV band.

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arXiv2003

IBIS performances during the Galactic Plane Scan - I. The Cygnus region

The Plane of our Galaxy is regularly observed by the INTEGRAL satellite by means of scheduled scans. We present here results from the IBIS/ISGRI instrument using data from the first two Galactic Plane Scans performed at the end of the Performance Verification phase, while INTEGRAL was pointed towards the Cygnus region. Considering the predicted IBIS sensitivity, we expected three persistent sources to be detectable: Cyg X--1, Cyg X--3, Cyg X--2, in order of decreasing intensity in the hard-X energy range (>15 keV). In addition to these sources, our analysis revealed two more transient sources, confirming the unprecedented IBIS sensitivity. For each exposure (~2200 s) of the two scans, we report on detected source fluxes, variabilities and localisation accuracies.

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arXiv2003

GRB 021219: the first Gamma-Ray Burst localized in real time with IBAS

On December 19, 2002, during the Performance and Verification Phase of INTEGRAL, a Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) has been detected and localized in real time with the INTEGRAL Burst Alert System (IBAS). Here we present the results obtained with the IBIS and SPI instruments. The burst had a time profile with a single peak lasting about 6 s. The peak spectrum can be described by a single power law with photon index $Γ$=1.6$\pm$0.1 and flux $\sim$3.7 photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (20 - 200 keV). The fluence in the same energy range is 9$\times10^{-7}$ erg cm$^{-2}$. Time resolved spectroscopy performed with IBIS/ISGRI shows a clear hard to soft evolution of the spectrum.

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arXiv2003

In-flight calibrations of IBIS/PICsIT

PICsIT (Pixellated Imaging CaeSium Iodide Telescope) is the high energy detector of the IBIS telescope on-board the INTEGRAL satellite. It consists of 4096 independent detection units, ~0.7 cm^2 in cross-section, operating in the energy range between 175 keV and 10 MeV. The intrinsically low signal to noise ratio in the gamma-ray astronomy domain implies very long observations, lasting 10^5-10^6 s. Moreover, the image formation principle on which PICsIT works is that of coded imaging in which the entire detection plane contributes to each decoded sky pixel. For these two main reasons, the monitoring, and possible correction, of the spatial and temporal non-uniformity of pixel performances, expecially in terms of gain and energy resolution, is of paramount importance. The IBIS on-board 22Na calibration source allows the calibration of each pixel at an accuracy of <0.5% by integrating the data from a few revolutions at constant temperature. The two calibration lines, at 511 and 1275 keV, allow also the measurement and monitoring of the PICsIT energy resolution which proves to be very stable at ~19% and ~9% (FWHM) respectively, and consistent with the values expected analytical predictions checked against pre-launch tests.

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arXiv2003

First Results from the IBIS/ISGRI Data Obtained During the Galactic Plane Scan. II. The Vela Region

We report on INTEGRAL/IBIS observations of the Vela region during a Galactic Plane Scan (hereafter GPS) presenting the IBIS in-flight performances during these operations. Among all the known sources in the field of view we clearly detect 4U 0836-429, Vela X-1, Cen X-3, GX 301-2, 1E 1145.1-6141, and H0918-549 in the 20-40 keV energy range. Only Vela X-1 and GX 301-2 are detected in the 40-80 keV energy range, and no sources are visible above. We present the results of each individual observation (~2200 s exposure), as well as those from the mosaic of these scans.

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arXiv2003

GRB021125: the first GRB imaged by INTEGRAL

In the late afternoon of November 25, 2002 a gamma-ray burst (GRB) was detected in the partially coded field of view (about 7.3 deg from the centre) of the imager IBIS on board the INTEGRAL satellite. The instruments on-board INTEGRAL allowed, for the first time, the observation of the prompt gamma-ray emission over a broad energy band from 15 to 500 keV. GRB021125 lasted ~24 s with a mean flux of ~5.0 photons/cm^2/s in the 20-500 keV energy band, and a fluence of 4.8x10^-5 erg/cm^2 in the same energy band. Here we report the analysis of the data from the imager IBIS and the spectrometer SPI.

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arXiv2003

The Peculiar X-ray Transient IGR 16358-4726

The new transient IGR 16358-4726 was discovered on 2003 March 19 with INTEGRAL. We detected the source serendipitously during our 2003 March 24 observation of SGR 1627-41 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory at the 1.7 x 10^{-10} ergs s^{-1} cm^{-2} flux level (2-10 keV) with a very high absorption column (N_H=3.3(1) x 10^{23} cm^{-2}) and a hard power law spectrum of index 0.5(1). We discovered a very strong flux modulation with a period of 5880(50) s and peak-to-peak pulse fraction of 70(6)% (2-10 keV), clearly visible in the x-ray data. The nature of IGR 16358-4726 remains unresolved. The only neutron star systems known with similar spin periods are low luminosity persistent wind-fed pulsars; if this is a spin period, this transient is a new kind of object. If this is an orbital period, then the system could be a compact Low Mass X-ray Binary (LMXB).

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arXiv2003

Observation of GRB 030131 with the INTEGRAL satellite

A long Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) was detected with the instruments on board the INTEGRAL satellite on January 31 2003. Although most of the GRB, which lasted $\sim$150 seconds, occurred during a satellite slew, the automatic software of the INTEGRAL Burst Alert System was able to detect it in near-real time. Here we report the results obtained with the IBIS instrument, which detected GRB 030131 in the 15 keV - 200 keV energy range, and ESO/VLT observations of its optical transient. The burst displays a complex time profile with numerous peaks. The peak spectrum can be described by a single power law with photon index $Γ\simeq$1.7 and has a flux of $\sim$2 photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in the 20-200 keV energy band. The high sensitivity of IBIS has made it possible for the first time to perform detailed time-resolved spectroscopy of a GRB with a fluence of 7$\times10^{-6}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ (20-200 keV).

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arXiv2003

First results from the INTEGRAL Galactic plane scans

Scans of the Galactic plane performed at regular intervals constitute a key element of the guaranteed time observations of the INTEGRAL observing programme. These scans are done for two reasons: frequent monitoring of the Galactic plane in order to detect transient sources, and time resolved mapping of the Galactic plane in continuum and diffuse line emission. This paper describes first results obtained from the Galactic plane scans executed so far during the early phase (Dec 2002 - May 2003) of the nominal mission.

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arXiv2003

Six years of BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras observations of nine galactic type-I X-ray bursters

We present an overview of BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras observations of the nine most frequent type-I X-ray bursters in the Galactic center region. Six years of observations (from 1996 to 2002) have amounted to 7 Ms of Galactic center observations and the detection of 1823 bursts. The 3 most frequent bursters are GX 354-0 (423 bursts), KS 1731-260 (339) and GS 1826-24 (260). These numbers reflect an unique dataset. We show that all sources have the same global burst behavior as a function of luminosity. At the lowest luminosities (L_X<=2E37 erg/s bursts occur quasi-periodically and the burst rate increases linearly with accretion rate (clear in e.g. GS 1826-24 and KS 1731-260). At L_pers=2E37 erg/s the burst rate drops by a factor of five. This corresponds to the transition from, on average, a hydrogen-rich to a pure helium environment in which the flashes originate that are responsible for the bursts. At higher luminosities the bursts recur irregularly; no bursts are observed at the highest luminosities. Our central finding is that most of the trends in bursting behavior are driven by the onset of stable hydrogen burning in the neutron star atmosphere. Furthermore, we notice three new observational fact which are difficult to explain with current burst theory: the presence of short pure-helium bursts at the lowest accretion regimes, the bimodal distribution of peak burst rates, and an accretion rate that is ten times higher than predicted at which the onset of stable hydrogen burning occurs. Finally, we note that our investigation is the first to signal quasi-periodic burst recurrence in KS 1731-260, and a clear proportionality between the frequency of the quasi-periodicity and the persistent flux in GS 1826-24 and KS 1731-260.

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arXiv2003

INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton observations of the weak GRB 030227

We present INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton observations of the prompt gamma-ray emission and the X-ray afterglow of GRB030227, the first GRB for which the quick localization obtained with the INTEGRAL Burst Alert System (IBAS) has led to the discovery of X-ray and optical afterglows. GRB030227 had a duration of about 20 s and a peak flux of 1.1 photons cm^-2 s^-1 in the 20-200 keV energy range. The time averaged spectrum can be fit by a single power law with photon index about 2 and we find some evidence for a hard to soft spectral evolution. The X-ray afterglow has been detected starting only 8 hours after the prompt emission, with a 0.2-10 keV flux decreasing as t^-1 from 1.3x10e-12 to 5x10e-13 erg cm^-2 s^-1. The afterglow spectrum is well described by a power law with photon index 1.94+/-0.05 modified by a redshifted neutral absorber with column density of several 10e22 cm^-2. A possible emission line at 1.67 keV could be due to Fe for a redshift z=3, consistent with the value inferred from the absorption.

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arXiv2003

Burst-properties as a function of mass accretion rate in GX 3+1

GX 3+1 is a low-mass X-ray binary that is persistently bright since its discovery in 1964. It was found to be an X-ray burster twenty years ago proving that the compact object in this system is a neutron star. The burst rate is so low that only 18 bursts were reported prior to 1996. The Wide Field Cameras on BeppoSAX have, through a dedicated monitoring program on the Galactic center region, increased the number of X-ray bursts from GX 3+1 by 61. Since GX 3+1 exhibits a slow (order of years) modulation in the persistent flux of about 50%, these observations opens up the unique possibility to study burst properties as a function of mass accretion rate for very low burst rates. This is the first time that bursts are detected from GX 3+1 in the high state. From the analysis we learn that all bursts are short with e-folding decay times smaller than 10 s. Therefore, all bursts are due to unstable helium burning. Furthermore, the burst rate drops sixfold in a fairly narrow range of 2-20 keV flux; we discuss possible origins for this.

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arXiv2002

BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras observations of six type I X-ray bursters

We have discovered three certain (SAX J1324.5-6313, 2S 1711-339 and SAX J1828.5-1037) and two likely (SAX J1818.7+1424 and SAX J2224.9+5421) new thermonuclear X-ray burst sources with the BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras, and observed a second burst ever from a sixth one (2S 0918-549). Four of them (excluding 2S 1711-339 and 2S 0918-549) are newly detected X-ray sources from which we observed single bursts, but no persistent emission. We observe the first 11 bursts ever from 2S 1711-339; persistent flux was detected during the first ten bursts, but not around the last burst. A single burst was recently detected from 2S 0918-549 by Jonker et al.(2001); we observe a second burst showing radius expansion, from which a distance of 4.2 kpc is derived. According to theory, bursts from very low flux levels should last ~100 s. Such is indeed the case for the last burst from 2S 1711-339, the single burst from SAX J1828.5-1037 and the two bursts from 2S 0918-549, but not for the bursts from SAX J1324.5-6313, SAX J1818.7+1424 and SAX J2224.9+5421. The bursts from the latter sources all last ~20 s. We suggest that SAX J1324.5-6313, SAX J1818.7+1424, SAX J1828.$-1037 and SAX J2224.9+5421 are members of the recently proposed class of bursters with distinctively low persistent flux levels, and show that the galactic distribution of this class is compatible with that of the standard low-mass X-ray binaries.

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arXiv2002

The nature of the X-ray transient SAX J1711.6-3808

SAX J1711.6-3808 is an X-ray transient in the Galactic bulge that was active from January through May of 2001 and whose maximum 1-200 keV luminosity was measured to be 5X10-9 erg/s/cm2 which is less than ~25% of the Eddington limit, if placed at a distance equal to that of the galactic center. We study the X-ray data that were taken of this moderately bright transient with instruments on BeppoSAX and RXTE. The spectrum shows two interesting features on top of a Comptonized continuum commonly observed in low-state X-ray binaries: a broad emission feature peaking at 7 keV and extending from 4 to 9 keV, and a soft excess with a color temperature below 1 keV which reveals itself only during one week of data. High time-resolution analysis of 412 ksec worth of data fails to show bursts, coherent or high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations. Given the dynamic range of the flux measurements, this would be unusual if a neutron star were present. SAX J1711.6-3808 appears likely to contain a black hole. No quiescent optical counterpart could be identified in archival data within the 5"-radius XMM error circle, but the limits are not very constraining because of heavy extinction (Av=16).

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arXiv2002

Discovery of the neutron star nature of SLX 1737-282

SLX 1737-282 is a persistent moderately bright X-ray source 1.2 deg from the Galactic center. X-ray observations with the Wide Field Cameras on BeppoSAX have for the first time revealed the true nature of SLX 1737-282: a 15-min long thermonuclear flash was detected exposing the source as a neutron star in a binary system. The flash was Eddington-limited constraining the distance to between 5 and 8 kpc. We analyze BeppoSAX, ROSAT, and RXTE data on SLX 1737-282. The persistent 0.5-200 keV luminosity is close to or less than 1% of the Eddington limit which implies a rarely-seen circumstance for thermonuclear flash activity.

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