Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Oct 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000head....5.2508k&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, HEAD Meeting #5, #25.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, p.1221
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
R Aqr is a symbiotic star system, a Mira-type mass-losing variable with a possible WD or hot subdwarf companion, inferred from a hot nebular emission spectrum. The system also contains an astrophysical jet, believed to be the closest to the Earth. Detection of X-rays from R Aqr was reported in an Einstein observation, then questioned after reanalysis. Detection was again reported with EXOSAT. A serendipitous ROSAT PSPC pointed observation, not previously reported in the literature, was done on 1992 Dec 20. An X-ray source is clearly visible in the data, and an excess at that location can be seen in the ROSAT All Sky Survey. Here we report an X-spec analysis of the PSPC data. A good fit is obtained to a Raymond model, with kT = 0.1 +/- 0.2 keV, and nH = (2.8 +/- 1.5) x 1020 cm-2, in agreement with the Colden value. The significance of the derived temperature is discussed. The ROSAT HRI also detected X- ray emission from R Aqr in 1994 June. The ROSAT HRI did not have the spatial resolution to determine whether the emission comes from a hot gas in either the jet or possibly the accretion disk that surrounds the hot companion. We will learn much more about R Aqr when we obtain the Chandra/ACIS X-ray data - whether there is low energy X-ray absorption, either local or by intervening interstellar matter. We may identify emission lines and spatially resolve the X-ray source, which may be associated with the accretion disk or the shocked jet as seen with HST and VLA. If our scheduled CHANDRA observation of R Aqr is completed by the time this work is presented, those results may be included as well. E. K. gratefully acknowledges support by the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, contract NAS8-39073 and grant GO0-1062A.
Hollis Jan. M.
Kellogg Edwin M.
Lyon Richard G.
Pedelty Jeffrey Alan
No associations
LandOfFree
The X-ray Properties of R Aquarii 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 The X-ray Properties of R Aquarii, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The X-ray Properties of R Aquarii will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-871503