Disc versus wind accretion in X-ray pulsar GX 301-2

GX 301-2 provides a rare opportunity to study both disc and wind accretion in a same target. We report Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope observations of the spin-up event of GX 301-2 that happened in 2019 and compare with those of wind-fed state. The pulse profiles of the initial rapid spin-up period are dominated by one main peak, while those of the later slow spin-up period are composed of two similar peaks, as those of wind-fed state. These behaviours are confirmed by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor data, which also show that during the rapid spin-up period, the main peak increases with luminosity up to 8 × 1037 erg s-1, but the faint peak remains almost constant. The absorption column densities during the spin-up period are ~1.5 × 1023 cm-2, much less than those of wind-fed state at similar luminosity (~9 × 1023 cm-2), supporting the scenario that most of material is condensed into a disc during the spin-up period. We discuss possible differences between disc and wind accretion that may explain the observed different trends of pulse profiles

Simultaneous and panchromatic observations of the fast radio burst FRB 20180916B

Aims. Fast radio bursts are bright radio transients whose origins are not yet understood. The search for a multi-wavelength counterpart of those events can set a tight constraint on the emission mechanism and the progenitor source.Methods. We conducted a multi-wavelength observational campaign on FRB 20180916B between October 2020 and August 2021 over eight activity cycles of the source. Observations were carried out in the radio band by the SRT both at 336 and 1547 MHz and the uGMRT at 400 MHz. Simultaneous observations were conducted by the optical telescopes Asiago (Galileo and Copernico), CMO SAI MSU, CAHA 2.2 m, RTT-150 and TNG, and X/?-ray detectors on board the AGILE, Insight-HXMT, INTEGRAL, and Swift satellites.Results. We present the detection of 14 new radio bursts detected with the SRT at 336 MHz and seven new bursts with the uGMRT from this source. We provide the deepest prompt upper limits in the optical band for FRB 20180916B to date. In fact, the TNG/SiFAP2 observation simultaneous to a burst detection by uGMRT gives an upper limit E-optical/E-radio < 1.3 x 10(2). Another burst detected by the SRT at 336 MHz was also co-observed by Insight-HXMT. The non-detection in the X-rays yields an upper limit (1 - 30 keV band) of EX - ray/E-radio in the range of (0.9 - 1.3) x 10(7), depending on the model that is considered for the X-ray emission

Simultaneous and panchromatic observations of the Fast Radio Burst FRB 20180916B

Aims. Fast Radio Bursts are bright radio transients whose origin has not yet explained. The search for a multi-wavelength counterpart of those events can put a tight constrain on the emission mechanism and the progenitor source. Methods. We conducted a multi-wavelength observational campaign on FRB 20180916B between October 2020 and August 2021 during eight activity cycles of the source. Observations were led in the radio band by the SRT both at 336 MHz and 1547 MHz and the uGMRT at 400 MHz. Simultaneous observations have been conducted by the optical telescopes Asiago (Galileo and Copernico), CMO SAI MSU, CAHA 2.2m, RTT-150 and TNG, and X/Gamma-ray detectors on board the AGILE, Insight-HXMT, INTEGRAL and Swift satellites. Results. We present the detection of 14 new bursts detected with the SRT at 336 MHz and seven new bursts with the uGMRT from this source. We provide the deepest prompt upper limits in the optical band fro FRB 20180916B to date. In fact, the TNG/SiFAP2 observation simultaneous to a burst detection by uGMRT gives an upper limit E_optical / E_radio < 1.3 x 10^2. Another burst detected by the SRT at 336 MHz was also co-observed by Insight-HMXT. The non-detection in the X-rays yields an upper limit (1-30 keV band) of E_X-ray / E_radio in the range of (0.9-1.3) x 10^7, depending on which model is considered for the X-ray emission.Comment: A&A accepte

X-ray reprocessing in accreting pulsar GX 301-2 observed with Insight-HXMT

We investigate the absorption and emission features in observations of GX 301-2 detected with Insight-HXMT/LE in 2017-2019. At different orbital phases, we found prominent Fe Kalpha, Kbeta and Ni Kalpha lines, as well as Compton shoulders and Fe K-shell absorption edges. These features are due to the X-ray reprocessing caused by the interaction between the radiation from the source and surrounding accretion material. According to the ratio of iron lines Kalpha and Kbeta, we infer the accretion material is in a low ionisation state. We find an orbital-dependent local absorption column density, which has a large value and strong variability around the periastron. We explain its variability as a result of inhomogeneities of the accretion environment and/or instabilities of accretion processes. In addition, the variable local column density is correlated with the equivalent width of the iron Kalpha lines throughout the orbit, which suggests that the accretion material near the neutron star is spherically distributed.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Constraining the transient high-energy activity of FRB180916.J0158+65 with Insight-HXMT followup observations

Context. A link has finally been established between magnetars and fast radio burst (FRB) sources. Within this context, a major issue that remains unresolved pertains to whether sources of extragalactic FRBs exhibit X/gamma-ray outbursts and whether this is correlated with radio activity. If so, the subsequent goal is to identify these sources. Aims. We aim to constrain possible X/gamma-ray burst activity from one of the nearest extragalactic FRB sources currently known. This is to be done over a broad energy range by looking for bursts over a range of timescales and energies that are compatible with those of powerful flares from extragalactic magnetars. Methods. We followed up on the observation of the as-yet nearest extragalactic FRB source, located at a mere 149 Mpc distance, namely, the periodic repeater FRB 180916.J0158+65. This took place during the active phase between 4 and 7 February 2020, using the Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT). By taking advantage of the combination of broad-band wavelengths, a large effective area, and several independent detectors at our disposal, we searched for bursts over a set of timescales from 1 ms to 1.024 s with a sensitive algorithm that had been previously characterised and optimised. Moreover, through simulations, we studied the sensitivity of our technique in the released energy-duration phase space for a set of synthetic flares and assuming a range of different energy spectra. Results. We constrain the possible occurrence of flares in the 1-100 keV energy band to E &lt; 10(46) erg for durations Delta t &lt; 0.1 s over several tens of ks exposure. Conclusions. We can rule out the occurrence of giant flares similar to the ones that were observed in the few cases of Galactic magnetars. The absence of reported radio activity during our observations prevents us from making any determinations regarding the possibility of simultaneous high-energy emission