The light curve of a transient X-ray source.
Abstract
The Ariel-5 satellite has monitored the X-ray light curve of A1524-62 almost continuously from 40 days prior to maximum light until its disappearance below the effective experimental sensitivity. The source exhibited maximum light on Dec. 4, 1974, at a level of 0.9 the apparent magnitude of the Crab Nebula in the energy band 3-6 keV. Although similar to previously reported transient sources with a decay time constant of about 2 months, the source exhibited an extended, variable preflare on-state of about 1 month at a level of greater than 0.1 maximum light. The four bright (greater than 0.2 of the Crab Nebula) transient sources observed during the first half-year of Ariel-5 operation are indicative of a galactic disk distribution, a luminosity at maximum in excess of 10 to the 37-th power ergs/sec, a frequency of occurrence which may be as high as 100/yr, and a median decay time which is less than 1 month.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1086/181956
- Bibcode:
- 1975ApJ...201L.121K
- Keywords:
-
- Energy Spectra;
- Light Curve;
- Novae;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- X Ray Sources;
- Ariel Satellites;
- Crab Nebula;
- Decay;
- Frequency Distribution;
- Galactic Structure;
- Luminous Intensity;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Transient Response;
- Uhuru Satellite;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- Space Radiation