Gamma-ray observations of Cygnus X-1 and Cygnus X-3 using a coded-aperture telescope

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167706· OSTI ID:5595529

Mcconnell, M L; Forrest, D J; Owens, A; Dunphy, P P; Vestrand, W T ^[1]

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1. New Hampshire Univ., Durham (USA)

A balloon-borne coded-aperture telescope, measuring gamma-ray photons in the 160 keV to 9.3 MeV range, was used to observe the Cygnus region of the sky on October 1 and 2, 1984. In the 2-9.3-MeV band, evidence is found for a hard spectral component with a mean flux level at the top of the atmosphere of 7.4 + or - 2.5 x 10 to the -7th photons/sq cm per s per keV, inconsistent with the predictions of the inverse Compton models normally used to describe the X-ray emission. Both Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3 could be observed simultaneously with the telescope. The results are used to establish 1-sigma upper flux limits on the spectral emission from Cyg X-3. 48 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5595529
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 343; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
APERTURES
ASTRONOMY
BINARY STARS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GALAXIES
GAMMA ASTRONOMY
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LIMITING VALUES
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MILKY WAY
OPENINGS
PHOTONS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
RESOLUTION
STARS
TELESCOPES