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The unusual broad-band X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1313 X-1 seen with XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR

The unusual broad-band X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1313 X-1 seen with XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR
The unusual broad-band X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1313 X-1 seen with XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR
We present results from the major coordinated X-ray observing programme on the ULX NGC 1313 X-1 performed in 2017, combining XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR, focusing on the evolution of the broad-band (∼0.3–30.0 keV) continuum emission. Clear and unusual spectral variability is observed, but this is markedly suppressed above ∼10–15 keV, qualitatively similar to the ULX Holmberg IX X-1. We model the multi-epoch data with two-component accretion disc models designed to approximate super-Eddington accretion, allowing for both a black hole and a neutron star accretor. With regards to the hotter disc component, the data trace out two distinct tracks in the luminosity–temperature plane, with larger emitting radii and lower temperatures seen at higher observed fluxes. Despite this apparent anticorrelation, each of these tracks individually shows a positive luminosity–temperature relation. Both are broadly consistent with L ∝ T4, as expected for blackbody emission with a constant area, and also with L ∝ T2, as may be expected for an advection-dominated disc around a black hole. We consider a variety of possibilities for this unusual behaviour. Scenarios in which the innermost flow is suddenly blocked from view by outer regions of the super-Eddington disc/wind can explain the luminosity–temperature behaviour, but are difficult to reconcile with the lack of strong variability at higher energies, assuming this emission arises from the most compact regions. Instead, we may be seeing evidence for further radial stratification of the accretion flow than is included in the simple models considered, with a combination of winds and advection resulting in the suppressed high-energy variability.
X-rays: binaries, X-rays: individual: NGC 1313 X-1
1365-2966
6012-6029
Walton, D J
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Pinto, C
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Nowak, M
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Bachetti, M
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Sathyaprakash, R
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Kara, E
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Roberts, T P
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Soria, R
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Brightman, M
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Canizares, C R
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Earnshaw, H P
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Fürst, F
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Heida, M
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Middleton, M J
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Stern, D
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Tao, L
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Webb, N
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Alston, W N
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Barret, D
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Fabian, A C
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Harrison, F A
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Kosec, P
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Walton, D J
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Pinto, C
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Nowak, M
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Bachetti, M
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Sathyaprakash, R
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Kara, E
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Roberts, T P
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Soria, R
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Brightman, M
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Canizares, C R
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Earnshaw, H P
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Fürst, F
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Heida, M
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Middleton, M J
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Stern, D
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Tao, L
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Webb, N
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Alston, W N
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Barret, D
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Fabian, A C
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Harrison, F A
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Kosec, P
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Walton, D J, Pinto, C, Nowak, M, Bachetti, M, Sathyaprakash, R, Kara, E, Roberts, T P, Soria, R, Brightman, M, Canizares, C R, Earnshaw, H P, Fürst, F, Heida, M, Middleton, M J, Stern, D, Tao, L, Webb, N, Alston, W N, Barret, D, Fabian, A C, Harrison, F A and Kosec, P (2020) The unusual broad-band X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1313 X-1 seen with XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494 (4), 6012-6029. (doi:10.1093/mnras/staa1129).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We present results from the major coordinated X-ray observing programme on the ULX NGC 1313 X-1 performed in 2017, combining XMM–Newton, Chandra, and NuSTAR, focusing on the evolution of the broad-band (∼0.3–30.0 keV) continuum emission. Clear and unusual spectral variability is observed, but this is markedly suppressed above ∼10–15 keV, qualitatively similar to the ULX Holmberg IX X-1. We model the multi-epoch data with two-component accretion disc models designed to approximate super-Eddington accretion, allowing for both a black hole and a neutron star accretor. With regards to the hotter disc component, the data trace out two distinct tracks in the luminosity–temperature plane, with larger emitting radii and lower temperatures seen at higher observed fluxes. Despite this apparent anticorrelation, each of these tracks individually shows a positive luminosity–temperature relation. Both are broadly consistent with L ∝ T4, as expected for blackbody emission with a constant area, and also with L ∝ T2, as may be expected for an advection-dominated disc around a black hole. We consider a variety of possibilities for this unusual behaviour. Scenarios in which the innermost flow is suddenly blocked from view by outer regions of the super-Eddington disc/wind can explain the luminosity–temperature behaviour, but are difficult to reconcile with the lack of strong variability at higher energies, assuming this emission arises from the most compact regions. Instead, we may be seeing evidence for further radial stratification of the accretion flow than is included in the simple models considered, with a combination of winds and advection resulting in the suppressed high-energy variability.

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1911.09622 - Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 20 April 2020
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 April 2020
Published date: 1 June 2020
Keywords: X-rays: binaries, X-rays: individual: NGC 1313 X-1

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 442350
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/442350
ISSN: 1365-2966
PURE UUID: 124967c8-6635-4c63-a85f-68aca370f928

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Date deposited: 14 Jul 2020 16:31
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 08:30

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Contributors

Author: D J Walton
Author: C Pinto
Author: M Nowak
Author: M Bachetti
Author: R Sathyaprakash
Author: E Kara
Author: T P Roberts
Author: R Soria
Author: M Brightman
Author: C R Canizares
Author: H P Earnshaw
Author: F Fürst
Author: M Heida
Author: M J Middleton
Author: D Stern
Author: L Tao
Author: N Webb
Author: W N Alston
Author: D Barret
Author: A C Fabian
Author: F A Harrison
Author: P Kosec

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