Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of the 7. 7 second X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67/sup 1/

Journal Article · Tue Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183163· OSTI ID:5589122

McClintock, J E; Canizares, C R; Li, F K; Grindlay, J E

Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of the 7.7 s X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67, obtained during 1978 May 29--31, reveal the presence of (1) intense, correlated optical and X-ray flares and (2) 7.7 s optical pulsations which agree in phase with the 1--3 keV X-ray pulsations to within 0.5 s (2 sigma) and which agree in period to within 0.001 s (1 sigma). From these data we conclude that a substantial fraction (a minimum of 8%) and possibly all of the optical emission is produced from within approx.0.5 lt-sec or 1.5 x 10/sup 10/ cm of the neutron star. Furthermore, the data rule out the possibility that this optical emission comes from the X-ray heated surface of a degenerate or nondegenerate dwarf companion. It most likely comes from an accretion disk.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Center for Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 5589122
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 235:2; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
NEUTRON STARS
PULSARS
PULSATIONS
SPECTRA
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
STELLAR FLARES
VISIBLE SPECTRA
X-RAY SPECTRA