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Long-term properties of accretion discs in X-ray binaries - I.The variable third period in SMC X-1

Long-term properties of accretion discs in X-ray binaries - I.The variable third period in SMC X-1
Long-term properties of accretion discs in X-ray binaries - I.The variable third period in SMC X-1
Long-term X-ray monitoring data from the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) All-Sky Monitor (ASM) and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) reveal that the third (superorbital) period in SMC X-1 is not constant, but varies between 40 and 60 d. A dynamic power spectrum analysis indicates that the third period has been present continuously throughout the five years of ASM observations. This period changed smoothly from 60 to 45 d and then returned to its former value, on a time-scale of approximately 1600 d. During the nearly 4 yr of overlap between the CGRO and RXTE missions, the simultaneous BATSE hard X-ray data confirm and extend this variation in SMC X-1. Our discovery of such an instability in the superorbital period of SMC X-1 is
interpreted in the context of recent theoretical studies of warped, precessing accretion discs. We find that the behaviour of SMC X-1 is consistent with a radiation-driven warping model.
accretion, accretion discs – binaries, close – stars, individual SMC X-1 – pulsars, general – X-rays, stars
1365-2966
447-454
Clarkson, W.I.
a67ad1b5-83da-46ae-a5f2-08700d014052
Charles, P.
0429b380-0754-4dc1-8def-885c7fa6a086
Coe, M.J.
04dfb23b-1456-46a3-9242-5cee983471d5
Laycock, S.
3021ea8f-9d14-4cda-93cd-6776c37ed386
Tout, M.D.
e73013e8-9d19-472d-9dc0-b43afb8cb586
Wilson, C.A.
9f6f5364-62b4-4d76-9564-c25dd6b0f9e8
Clarkson, W.I.
a67ad1b5-83da-46ae-a5f2-08700d014052
Charles, P.
0429b380-0754-4dc1-8def-885c7fa6a086
Coe, M.J.
04dfb23b-1456-46a3-9242-5cee983471d5
Laycock, S.
3021ea8f-9d14-4cda-93cd-6776c37ed386
Tout, M.D.
e73013e8-9d19-472d-9dc0-b43afb8cb586
Wilson, C.A.
9f6f5364-62b4-4d76-9564-c25dd6b0f9e8

Clarkson, W.I., Charles, P., Coe, M.J., Laycock, S., Tout, M.D. and Wilson, C.A. (2003) Long-term properties of accretion discs in X-ray binaries - I.The variable third period in SMC X-1. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 339 (2), 447-454. (doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06176.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Long-term X-ray monitoring data from the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) All-Sky Monitor (ASM) and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) reveal that the third (superorbital) period in SMC X-1 is not constant, but varies between 40 and 60 d. A dynamic power spectrum analysis indicates that the third period has been present continuously throughout the five years of ASM observations. This period changed smoothly from 60 to 45 d and then returned to its former value, on a time-scale of approximately 1600 d. During the nearly 4 yr of overlap between the CGRO and RXTE missions, the simultaneous BATSE hard X-ray data confirm and extend this variation in SMC X-1. Our discovery of such an instability in the superorbital period of SMC X-1 is
interpreted in the context of recent theoretical studies of warped, precessing accretion discs. We find that the behaviour of SMC X-1 is consistent with a radiation-driven warping model.

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More information

Published date: 2003
Keywords: accretion, accretion discs – binaries, close – stars, individual SMC X-1 – pulsars, general – X-rays, stars

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 38402
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/38402
ISSN: 1365-2966
PURE UUID: 7826b4d4-915b-4c25-ace8-957d4105b1f0
ORCID for M.J. Coe: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0763-8547

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Date deposited: 09 Jun 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:35

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Contributors

Author: W.I. Clarkson
Author: P. Charles
Author: M.J. Coe ORCID iD
Author: S. Laycock
Author: M.D. Tout
Author: C.A. Wilson

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