X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center

Details X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center

2003-08-19

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0308335v1

Astrophys.J.599:465-474,2003; Erratum-ibid.621:1117,2005

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

11 pages including 6 figures. Submitted to ApJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/379244

We report the discovery of eight X-ray sources with periodic variability in 487 ks of observations of the Galactic center with Chandra. The sources are identified from a sample of 285 objects detected with 100-4200 net counts. Their periods range from 300 s to 4.5 h with amplitudes between 40% and 70% rms. They have luminosities of (1 - 5) \times 10^{32} erg/sec (2--8 keV at 8 kpc). The spectra of seven of the eight sources are consistent with Gamma = 0 power laws absorbed by gas and dust with a column density equal to or higher than that toward the Galactic Center (6 times 10^{22} cm^{-2}). Four of these sources also exhibit emission lines near 6.7 keV from He-like Fe, with equivalent widths of 600-1000 eV. These properties are consistent with both magnetically accreting cataclysmic variables and wind-accreting neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries. The eighth source has an absorbing column of 5 \times 10^{21} cm^{-2} that places it in the foreground. Its spectrum is consistent with either a Gamma = 1.4 power law or kT = 25 keV bremsstrahlung emission. Its period-folded flux profile clearly identifies it as an eclipsing polar. We place an approximate upper limit of i^\prime > 23 magnitude on the optical counterpart to this source using a 5 min exposure obtained with the MagIC camera on the Clay telescope (Magellan II) at Las Campanas.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and X-ray Sources with Periodic Variability in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-167396