Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Dec 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007a%26a...476..317h&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 476, Issue 1, December II 2007, pp.317-320
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
2
Galaxies: Individual: Small Magellanic Cloud, Galaxies: Stellar Content, Stars: Emission-Line, Be, Stars: Neutron, X-Rays: Binaries
Scientific paper
Context: The Be/X-ray binary pulsar AX J0058-720, discovered by ASCA, was in the field of view of the EPIC instruments during five XMM-Newton observations in the direction of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Aims: We used the EPIC data of the X-ray pulsar in order to investigate its long-term temporal and spectral behaviour between 2000 and 2005. Methods: X-ray spectra covering 0.3-10 keV and light curves in different energy bands were extracted from the EPIC PN and MOS data. Results: The X-ray spectra are well modelled by a simple absorbed power-law without significant contribution from a soft component. The photon index of 0.7 indicates a relatively hard spectrum. During two observations in November 2005, separated by two days, the 0.2-10 keV luminosity reached a maximum of 2.6 × 1036 erg s-1 indicating an X-ray outburst. Twelve days later the source intensity had decreased by more than a factor of two. During an observation in November 2001 the source was not detected with a 2σ upper limit of 2.8 × 1033 erg s-1. Timing analysis of the observations of AX J0058-720 in 2005 reveals a pulse period of 286.3388±0.0012 s (or 286.8029±0.0012 s due to cycle count ambiguity). The average spin-down of ~0.75 s per year between 1997 and 2005 suggests a moderate activity episode with low average accretion rate, insufficient to spin-up the neutron star. Conclusions: The X-ray properties of AX J0058-720 are typical for a Be/X-ray binary in the SMC. The source shows transient behaviour with more than a factor 900 intensity increases during outburst.
Based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions
directly funded by ESA Member states and the USA (NASA)
Haberl Franck
Pietsch Wolfgang
No associations
LandOfFree
XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: the 280 s Be/X-ray binary pulsar AX J0058-7203 in outburst 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 XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: the 280 s Be/X-ray binary pulsar AX J0058-7203 in outburst, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: the 280 s Be/X-ray binary pulsar AX J0058-7203 in outburst will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1473419