2,078 research outputs found
The variable radio counterpart and possible large-scale jet of the new Z-source XTE J1701-462
We report radio observations, made with the Australia Telescope Compact
Array, of the X-ray transient XTE J1701-462. This system has been classified as
a new `Z' source, displaying characteristic patterns of behaviour probably
associated with accretion onto a low magnetic field neutron star at close to
the Eddington limit. The radio counterpart is highly variable, and was detected
in six of sixteen observations over the period 2006 January -- April. The
coupling of radio emission to X-ray state, despite limited sampling, appears to
be similar to that of other `Z' sources, in that there is no radio emission on
the flaring branch. The mean radio and X-ray luminosities are consistent with
the other Z sources for a distance of 5--15 kpc. The radio spectrum is
unusually flat, or even inverted, in contrast to the related sources, Sco X-1
and Cir X-1, which usually display an optically thin radio spectrum. Deep
wide-field observations indicate an extended structure three arcminutes to the
south which is aligned with the X-ray binary. This seems to represent a
significant overdensity of radio sources for the field and so, although a
background source remains a strong possibility, we consider it plausible that
this is a large-scale jet associated with XTE J1701-462.Comment: Accepted for publication as a Letter in MNRA
Low-frequency QPO from the 11 Hz accreting pulsar in Terzan 5: not frame dragging
We report on 6 RXTE observations taken during the 2010 outburst of the 11 Hz
accreting pulsar IGR J17480-2446 located in the globular cluster Terzan 5.
During these observations we find power spectra which resemble those seen in
Z-type high-luminosity neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries, with a
quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in the 35-50 Hz range simultaneous with a kHz
QPO and broad band noise. Using well known frequency-frequency correlations, we
identify the 35-50 Hz QPOs as the horizontal branch oscillations (HBO), which
were previously suggested to be due to Lense-Thirring precession. As IGR
J17480-2446 spins more than an order of magnitude more slowly than any of the
other neutron stars where these QPOs were found, this QPO can not be explained
by frame dragging. By extension, this casts doubt on the Lense-Thirring
precession model for other low-frequency QPOs in neutron-star and perhaps even
black-hole systems.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ
Quiescent X-ray variability in the neutron star Be/X-ray transient GRO J1750-27
The Be/X-ray transient GRO J1750-27 exhibited a type-II (giant) outburst in
2015. After the source transited to quiescence, we triggered our multi-year
Chandra monitoring programme to study its quiescent behaviour. The programme
was designed to follow the cooling of a potentially heated neutron-star crust
due to accretion of matter during the preceding outburst, similar to what we
potentially have observed before in two other Be/X-ray transients, namely 4U
0115+63 and V 0332+53. However, unlike for these other two systems, we do not
find any strong evidence that the neutron-star crust in GRO J1750-27 was indeed
heated during the accretion phase. We detected the source at a rather low X-ray
luminosity (~10^33 erg/s) during only three of our five observations. When the
source was not detected it had very low-luminosity upper limits (<10^32 erg/s;
depending on assumed spectral model). We interpret these detections and the
variability observed as emission likely due to very low-level accretion onto
the neutron star. We also discuss why the neutron-star crust in GRO J1750-27
might not have been heated while the ones in 4U 0115+63 and V 0332+53 possibly
were.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for A&
A change in the quiescent X-ray spectrum of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary MXB 1659-29
The quasi-persistent neutron star low-mass X-ray binary MXB 1659-29 went into
quiescence in 2001, and we have followed its quiescent X-ray evolution since.
Observations over the first 4 years showed a rapid drop in flux and temperature
of the neutron star atmosphere, interpreted as cooling of the neutron star
crust which had been heated during the 2.5 year outburst. However, observations
taken approximately 1400 and 2400 days into quiescence were consistent with
each other, suggesting the crust had reached thermal equilibrium with the core.
Here we present a new Chandra observation of MXB 1659-29 taken 11 years into
quiescence and 4 years since the last Chandra observation. This new observation
shows an unexpected factor of ~3 drop in count rate and change in spectral
shape since the last observation, which cannot be explained simply by continued
cooling. Two possible scenarios are that either the neutron star temperature
has remained unchanged and there has been an increase in the column density,
or, alternatively the neutron star temperature has dropped precipitously and
the spectrum is now dominated by a power-law component. The first scenario may
be possible given that MXB 1659-29 is a near edge-on system, and an increase in
column density could be due to build-up of material in, and a thickening of, a
truncated accretion disk during quiescence. But, a large change in disk height
may not be plausible if standard accretion disk theory holds during quiescence.
Alternatively, the disk may be precessing, leading to a higher column density
during this latest observation.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Correlated X-ray Spectral and Timing Behavior of the Black Hole Candidate XTE J1550-564: A New Interpretation of Black Hole States
We present an analysis of RXTE data of the X-ray transient XTE J1550-564. The
source went through several states, which were divided into spectrally soft and
hard states. These states showed up as distinct branches in the color-color
diagram, forming a structure with a comb-like topology; the soft state branch
forming the spine and the hard state branches forming the teeth. Variability
was strongly correlated with the position on the branches. The broad band noise
became stronger, and changed from power law like to band limited, as the
spectrum became harder. Three types of QPOs were found: 1-18 Hz and 102-284 Hz
QPOs on the hard branches, and 16-18 Hz QPOs on and near the soft branch. The
frequencies of the high and low frequency QPOs on the hard branches were
correlated with each other, and anti-correlated with spectral hardness. The
changes in QPO frequency suggest that the inner disc radius only increases by a
factor of 3-4 as the source changes from a soft to a hard state. Our results on
XTE J1550-564 strongly favor a 2-dimensional description of black hole
behavior, where the regions near the spine of the comb in the color-color
diagram can be identified with the high state, and the teeth with transitions
from the high state, via the intermediate state (which includes the very high
state) to the low state, and back. The two physical parameters underlying this
behavior vary to a large extent independently and could for example be the mass
accretion rate through the disk and the size of a Comptonizing region.Comment: 49 pages (inlcuding 26 figures and 4 tables), accepted for
publication in ApJ Supplement
Galactic X-ray binary jets
With their relatively fast variability time-scales, Galactic X-ray binaries
provide an excellent laboratory to explore the physics of accretion and related
phenomena, most notably outflows, over different regimes. After comparing the
phenomenology of jets in black hole X-ray binary systems to that of neutron
stars, here I discuss the role of the jet at very low Eddington ratios, and
present preliminary results obtained by fitting the broadband spectral energy
distribution of a quiescent black hole binary with a `maximally jet-dominated'
model.Comment: Refereed version, accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space
Scienc
Peculiar spectral and power spectral behaviour of the LMXB GX 13+1
We present results of an analysis of all 480 ks of Rossi X-ray Timing
Explorer Proportional Counter Array data obtained from 17 May 1998 to 11
October 1998 on the luminous low mass X-ray binary GX 13+1. We analysed the
spectral properties in colour-colour diagrams (CDs) and hardness-intensity
diagrams (HIDs) and fitted the power spectra with a multi-Lorentzian model. GX
13+1 traces out a curved track in the CDs on a time scale of hours, which is
very reminiscent of a standard atoll track containing an island, and lower and
upper banana branch. However, both count rate and power spectral properties
vary along this track in a very unusual way, not seen in any other atoll or Z
source. The count rate, which varied by a factor of ~1.6, along a given track
first decreases and then increases, causing the motion through the HIDs to be
in the opposite sense to that in the CD, contrary to all other Z and atoll
sources. Along a CD track, the very low frequency noise uniquely decreases in
amplitude from ~5 to ~2% (rms). The high frequency noise amplitude decreases
from ~4% to less than 1% and its characteristic frequency decreases from ~10 to
\~5 Hz. The 57-69 Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) found earlier is also
detected, and no kHz QPOs are found. In addition the entire track shows secular
motion on a time scale of about a week. The average count rate as well as the
amplitude of the very low frequency noise correlate with this secular motion.
We discuss a possible explanation for the peculiar properties of GX 13+1 in
terms of an unusual orientation or strength of a relativistic jet.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
Establishing a Total Safety Culture within a Flight Department
This article will present behavior-based principles and procedures that can be successfully applied to change safety attitudes in a Flight Department. First, limitations and flaws of the human condition are discussed, and three basic ways employees can learn safe behavior are addressed. Next, Crew Resource Management is proposed as a tool to increase overall safety in Business Aviation. Safety is then reviewed in the context of the overall goals of the corporation and the cost of doing business. Senior Corporate management is identified as holding the key to the successful and safe operation of the corporate Flight Department. Finally, critical issues surrounding Corporate Culture and the ultimate goal of a Total Safety Culture are discussed. Recommendations are then made to increase the overall safety level of the Business Aviation environment
A closed-loop analysis of grid scale battery systems providing frequency response and reserve services in a variable inertia grid
With increasing penetration of wind and solar generation the deployment of fast response plant, principally batteries, is currently considered necessary to mitigate reduced system inertia and the possibility of demand-supply imbalances. In this work the impact of these factors on battery cycling rates, taking into account the input from the batteries themselves, are analysed by applying the swing equation to a future inertia based on forecast generation mix. The operational capacity of batteries is a determining factor in their cycling rate, though the depth of discharge appears to be less well correlated. It is found that reducing system inertia does not, of itself, significantly impact on frequency volatility where the volatility of the generation to load imbalance is unchanged. However, the potential for a reduction in the damping of frequency deviations as a result of an increase in inverter connected motor drives may have a large impact on battery cycling characteristics. Provision of reserve services from battery systems requires a more complex operational strategy to ensure services are always deliverable and results in a significantly different cycling profile that may lead to greater battery degradation and consequently higher operational costs
RXTE observations of the first transient Z source XTE J1701-462: shedding new light on mass accretion in luminous neutron star LMXBs
(Abridged) We report on ten weeks of RXTE observations of the X-ray transient
XTE J1701-462. Comparisons with other sources suggest it had all the
characteristics of the neutron star Z sources (the brightest persistent neutron
star LMXBs). These include Z tracks in X-ray color diagrams and typical
variability components detected in the power spectra. XTE J1701-462 is the
first transient Z source and provides unique insights into mass accretion rate
(Mdot) and luminosity dependencies in neutron star LMXBs. As its overall
luminosity decreased, we observed a switch between two types of Z-source
behavior, with most of the branches of the Z-track changing their shape and/or
orientation. We interpret this switch as an extreme case of the longterm
changes seen in the persistent Z sources and suggest that these result from
changes in Mdot. We also suggest that the Cyg-like Z sources (Cyg X-2, GX 5-1,
and GX 340+0) might be more luminous (> 50%) than the Sco-like Z sources (Sco
X-1, GX 17+2, and GX 349+2). Adopting a possible explanation for the behavior
of kHz QPOs, which involves a prompt as well as a filtered response to changes
in Mdot, we propose that changes in Mdot can explain both movement along the Z
track and changes in the shape of the Z track. We discuss some consequences of
this and consider the possibility that the branches of the Z will evolve into
the branches observed in the X-ray color diagrams of the less luminous atoll
sources, but not in a way that was previously suggested.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 11 page
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