The X-ray transient XTE J1118+480: Multiwavelength observations of a low-state mini-outburst

We present multiwavelength observations of the newly discovered X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 obtained in the rising phase of the 2000 April outburst. This source is located at unusually high Galactic latitude and in a very low absorption line of sight. This made the first EUVE spectroscopy of an X-ray transient outburst possible. Together with our HST, RXTE, and UKIRT data this gives unprecedented spectral coverage. We find the source in the low hard state. The flat IR-UV spectrum appears to be a combination of optically thick disk emission and flat spectrum emission, possibly synchrotron, while at higher energies, including EUV, a typical low hard state power-law is seen. EUVE observations reveal no periodic modulation, suggesting an inclination low enough that no obscuration by the disk rim occurs. We discuss the nature of the source and this outburst and conclude that it may be more akin to mini-outbursts seen in GRO J0422+32 than to a normal X-ray transient outburst.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, replaced with accepted version. Uses emulateapj5.st

XTE J1550-564: INTEGRAL Observations of a Failed Outburst

The well known black-hole X-ray binary transient XTE J1550-564 underwent an outburst during the spring of 2003 which was substantially underluminous in comparison to previous periods of peak activity in that source. In addition, our analysis shows that it apparently remained in the hard spectral state over the duration of that outburst. This is again in sharp contrast to major outbursts of that source in 1998/1999 during which it exhibited an irregular light curve, multiple state changes and collimated outflows. This leads us to classify it as a "failed outburst." We present the results of our study of the spring 2003 event including light curves based on observations from both INTEGRAL and RXTE. In addition, we studied the evolution of the high-energy 3-300 keV continuum spectrum using data obtained with three main instruments on INTEGRAL. These spectra are consistent with typical low-hard-state thermal Comptonization emission. We also consider the 2003 event in the context of a multi-source, multi-event period-peak luminosity diagram in which it is a clear outlyer. We then consider the possibility that the 2003 event was due to a discrete accretion event rather than a limit-cycle instablility. In that context, we apply model fitting to derive the timescale for viscous propagation in the disk, and infer some physical characteristics.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, to be published in The Astrophysical Journa

Long-term variability of AGN at hard X-rays

Variability at all observed wavelengths is a distinctive property of AGN. Hard X-rays provide us with a view of the innermost regions of AGN, mostly unbiased by absorption along the line of sight. Swift/BAT offers the unique opportunity to follow, on time scales of days to years and with a regular sampling, the 14-195 keV emission of the largest AGN sample available up to date for this kind of investigation. We study the amplitude of the variations, and their dependence on sub-class and on energy, for a sample of 110 radio quiet and radio loud AGN selected from the BAT 58-month survey. About 80% of the AGN in the sample are found to exhibit significant variability on months to years time scales, radio loud sources being the most variable. The amplitude of the variations and their energy dependence are incompatible with variability being driven at hard X-rays by changes of the absorption column density. In general, the variations in the 14-24 and 35-100 keV bands are well correlated, suggesting a common origin of the variability across the BAT energy band. However, radio quiet AGN display on average 10% larger variations at 14-24 keV than at 35-100 keV and a softer-when-brighter behavior for most of the Seyfert galaxies with detectable spectral variability on month time scale. In addition, sources with harder spectra are found to be more variable than softer ones. These properties are generally consistent with a variable power law continuum, in flux and shape, pivoting at energies >~ 50 keV, to which a constant reflection component is superposed. When the same time scales are considered, the timing properties of AGN at hard X-rays are comparable to those at lower energies, with at least some of the differences possibly ascribable to components contributing differently in the two energy domains (e.g., reflection, absorption).Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&

The First INTEGRAL AGN Catalog

We present the first INTEGRAL AGN catalog, based on observations performed from launch of the mission in October 2002 until January 2004. The catalog includes 42 AGN, of which 10 are Seyfert 1, 17 are Seyfert 2, and 9 are intermediate Seyfert 1.5. The fraction of blazars is rather small with 5 detected objects, and only one galaxy cluster and no star-burst galaxies have been detected so far. A complete subset consists of 32 AGN with a significance limit of 7 sigma in the INTEGRAL/ISGRI 20-40 keV data. Although the sample is not flux limited, the distribution of sources shows a ratio of obscured to unobscured AGN of 1.5 - 2.0, consistent with luminosity dependent unified models for AGN. Only four Compton-thick AGN are found in the sample. Based on the INTEGRAL data presented here, the Seyfert 2 spectra are slightly harder (Gamma = 1.95 +- 0.01) than Seyfert 1.5 (Gamma = 2.10 +- 0.02) and Seyfert 1 (Gamma = 2.11 +- 0.05).Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

The Evolving Accretion Disc in the Black Hole X-ray Transient XTE J1859+226

We present HST, RXTE, and UKIRT observations of the broad band spectra of the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1859+226 during the decline from its 1999-2000 outburst. Our UV spectra define the 2175A interstellar absorption feature very well and based on its strength we estimate E(B-V)=0.58+/-0.12. Hence we deredden our spectra and follow the evolution of the spectral energy distribution on the decline from outburst. We find that the UV and optical data, and the X-ray thermal component when detectable, can be fit with a simple blackbody model of an accretion disc heated by internal viscosity and X-ray irradiation, and extending to close to the last stable orbit around the black hole, although the actual inner radius cannot be well constrained. During the decline we see the disc apparently evolving from a model with the edge dominated by irradiative heating towards one where viscous heating is dominant everywhere. The outer disc radius also appears to decrease during the decline; we interpret this as evidence of a cooling wave moving inwards and discuss its implications for the disc instability model. Based on the normalisation of our spectral fits we estimate a likely distance range of 4.6-8.0kpc, although a value outside of this range cannot securely be ruled out.Comment: 10 pages including figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Integral results on GRB030320: a long gamma-ray burst detected at the edge of the field of view

GRB030320 is the 5th Gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected by INTEGRAL in the field of view (FoV). It is so far the GRB with the largest off-axis angle with respect to the INTEGRAL pointing direction, near to the edge of the FoV of both main instruments, IBIS and SPI. Nevertheless, it was possible to determine its position and to extract spectra and fluxes. The GRB nature of the event was confirmed by an IPN triangulation. It is a ~ 60 s long GRB with two prominent peaks separated by ~ 35 s. The spectral shape of the GRB is best represented by a single power law with a photon index Gamma ~ 1.7. The peak flux in the 20 - 200 keV band is determined to ~ 5.7 photons cm-2 s-1 and the GRB fluence to 1.1 x 10-5 erg cm-2. Analysing the spectral evolution of the GRB, a ``hard-to-soft'' behaviour emerges. A search for an optical counterpart has been carried out, but none was found.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in A&AL (INTEGRAL issue

The High Energy Spectrum of NGC 4151

We present the first INTEGRAL observations of the type 1.5 Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151. Combining several INTEGRAL observations performed during 2003, totaling about 400 ks of exposure time, allows us to study the spectrum in the 2 - 300 keV range. The measurements presented here reveal an overall spectrum from X-rays up to soft gamma-rays that can be described by an absorbed (NH = 6.9e22 1/cm**2) model based on a Compton continuum from a hot electron population (kT = 94 keV) from an optically thick (tau = 1.3) corona, reflected on cold material (R=0.7), consistent with earlier claims. The time resolved analysis shows little variation of the spectral parameters over the duration of the INTEGRAL observations. The comparison with CGRO/OSSE data shows that the same spectral model can be applied over a time span of 15 years, with flux variations of the order of a factor of 2 and changes in the underlying continuum reflected by the temperature of the electron population (kT = 50 - 100 keV). When modeled with an exponentially cut-off power law plus Compton reflection this results in photon indices ranging from Gamma = 1.5 to Gamma = 1.9 and a cut-off energy in the range 100 - 500 keV.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

The Concordance Cosmic Star Formation Rate: Implications from and for the Supernova Neutrino and Gamma Ray Backgrounds

We constrain the Cosmic Star Formation Rate (CSFR) by requiring that massive stars produce the observed UV, optical, and IR light while at the same time not overproduce the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background as bounded by Super-Kamiokande. With the massive star component so constrained we then show that a reasonable choice of stellar Initial Mass Function and other parameters results in SNIa rates and iron yields in good agreement with data. In this way we define a `concordance' CSFR that predicts the optical SNII rate and the SNIa contribution to the MeV Cosmic Gamma-Ray Background. The CSFR constrained to reproduce these and other proxies of intermediate and massive star formation is more clearly delineated than if it were measured by any one technique and has the following testable consequences: (1) SNIa contribute only a small fraction of the MeV Cosmic Gamma-Ray Background, (2) massive star core-collapse is nearly always accompanied by a successful optical SNII, and (3) the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background is tantalizingly close to detectability.Comment: Improved discussion. Version accepted for publication in JCA

The High-Energy Spectra of Accreting Black Holes: Observational Evidence for Bulk-Motion Infall

We discuss the emergent spectra from accreting black holes, considering in particular the case where the accretion is characterized by relativistic bulk motion. We suggest that such accretion is likely to occur in a wide variety of black hole enviroments, where the strong gravitational field is expected to dominate the pressure forces, and this likely to lead to a characteristic high-energy spectriscopic signature; an extended power tail. It is in the high (soft) state that matter impinging upon the event horizon can be viewed directly, and intrinsic power-law seen. A test of the model is presented using observational data from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, covering 2- 200 keV for recent galactic black hole X-ray nova outbursts.Comment: latex, 18 pages, 2 figures. Accepted by ApJLetter