Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources

Details Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources

Feb 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986natur.319..652x&link_type=abstract

Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 319, Feb. 20, 1986, p. 652, 653. NASA-supported research.

Computer Science

23

Cosmic Dust, Interstellar Matter, Particle Size Distribution, X Ray Binaries, Grain Size, Molecular Clouds, Space Observations (From Earth)

Scientific paper

A method for determining the location, size distribution, and composition of interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources is described. The method is based on the time dependence of the halo X-ray emission during an eclipse of the point source. The distance of the dust cloud is inferred directly from observations of the growth of the dark circle around the eclipsed point source. Grain size distribution in the interstellar dust clouds is derived from the halo brightness profile at a given photon energy. The composition of the grains is obtained by observing the spectral features in the total optical depth due to X-ray scattering near the photoionization thresholds of the elements in the grains. The haloes become dim just below the ionization threshold, and sharply increase in function brightness as the photon energy increases beyond the absorption edge of the relevant atom. The method makes it possible to observe and analyze the halo emission during eclipse even without imaging the source. It is suggested that haloes probably account for the soft X-rays observed during eclipses and dips observed in sources including 4U1915-05 and X1755-338.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources 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 Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Measuring interstellar dust grains from the haloes of binary X-ray sources will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1677456