* Astronomy

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: IGR J16418-4532


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
RE: IGR J16418-4532
Permalink  
 


Title: INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton observations of IGR J16418-4532: evidence of accretion regime transitions in a supergiant fast X-ray transient
Authors: S. P. Drave, A. J. Bird, L. Sidoli, V. Sguera, V. A. McBride, A. B. Hill, A. Bazzano, M. E. Goossens

We report on combined INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton observations of the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J16418-4532. The observations targeted the X-ray eclipse region of IGR J16418-4532s orbit with continuous INTEGRAL observations across ~25% of orbital phase and two quasi-simultaneous XMM-Newton observations of length 20ks and 14ks, occurring during and just after the eclipse respectively. An enhanced INTEGRAL emission history is provided with 19 previously unreported outbursts identified in the archival 18-60 keV data set. The XMM-Newton eclipse observation showed prominent Fe-emission and a flux of 2.8 x 10^-13 erg cm^-2 s^-1 (0.5 - 10 keV). Through the comparison of the detected eclipse and post eclipse flux, the supergiant mass loss rate through the stellar wind was determined as \dot{M}_{w} = 2.3-3.8 x 10^-7 solar masses yr^-1. The post eclipse XMM-Newton observation showed a dynamic flux evolution with signatures of the X-ray pulsation, a period of flaring activity, structured nH variations and the first ever detection of an X-ray intensity dip, or 'off-state', in a pulsating supergiant fast X-ray transient. Consideration is given to the origin of the X-ray dip and we conclude that the most applicable of the current theories of X-ray dip generation is that of a transition between Compton cooling dominated and radiative cooling dominated subsonic accretion regimes within the 'quasi-spherical' model of wind accretion. Under this interpretation, which requires additional confirmation, the neutron star in IGR J16418-4532 possesses a magnetic field of ~10^14 G, providing tentative observational evidence of a highly magnetised neutron star in a supergiant fast X-ray transient for the first time. The implications of these results on the nature of IGR J16418-4532 itself and the wider SFXT class are discussed.

Read more (355kb, PDF)



__________________


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

Title: Swift monitoring of IGR J16418-4532 
Authors: P. Esposito (1), P. Romano (2), V. Mangano (2), L. Ducci (3), S. Vercellone (2) ((1) INAF-IASF Milano, (2) INAF-IASF Palermo, (3) Uni. Tuebingen) 

We report on the Swift observations of the candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) IGR J16418-4532, which has an orbital period of ~3.7 d. Our monitoring, for a total of ~43 ks, spans over three orbits and represents the most intense and complete sampling along the orbital period of the light curve of this source. If one assumes a circular orbit, the X-ray emission from this source can be explained by accretion from a spherically symmetric clumpy wind from a blue supergiant, composed of clumps with different masses, ranging from ~5x10^16 g to 10^21g. 

Read more (36kb, PDF)



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.



Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard