Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2010-10-25
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
5 pages, 1 figure, Accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/725/2/2480
We comment on the recent observation of a 115-day modulation in the X-ray flux of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) NGC 5408 X-1, and in particular, the interpretation of this modulation as the orbital period. We suggest that this modulation may instead be due to a precessing jet, and is thus superorbital in nature. Comparing the properties of this ULX with those of the prototypical microquasar SS 433, we argue that NGC 5408 X-1 is very similar to SS 433: a hyper-accreting stellar mass black hole in a shorter-period binary. If the analogy holds, the 115-day modulation is best explained by the still poorly-understood physics of inner-disc/jet precession and a longer observing baseline would be able to reveal an intrinsic phase jitter that is associated with such a precession.
Charles Phil
Foster Deatrick
Holley-Bockelmann Kelly
No associations
LandOfFree
Interpretation of the 115 Day Periodic Modulation in the X-ray Flux of NGC 5408 X-1 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 Interpretation of the 115 Day Periodic Modulation in the X-ray Flux of NGC 5408 X-1, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interpretation of the 115 Day Periodic Modulation in the X-ray Flux of NGC 5408 X-1 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-158625