X-Ray spectroscopic investigation of the coronal structure of capella

The binary system Capella (G6 III + F9 III) has been observed on 1979 March 15 and on 1980 March 15–17 with the Objective Grating Spectrometer (OGS) onboard theEinstein Observatory. The spectrum measured with the 1000 l/mm grating covers the range 5–30 Å with a resolution < 1 Å. The spectra show evidence for a bimodal temperature distribution of emission measure in an optically thin plasma with one component 5 million degrees and the other one 10 million degrees. Spectral features can be identified with line emissions from O VIII, Fe XVII, Fe XVIII, Fe XXIV, and Ne X ions. Good spectral fits have been obtained assuming standard cosmic abundances. The data are interpreted in terms of emission from hot static coronal loops rather similar to the magnetic arch structures found on the Sun. It is shown that the conditions required by this model exist on Capella. Mean values of loop parameters are derived for both temperature components.     

The Rosat mission

The primary scientific objective of the ROSAT mission is to perform the first all sky survey with an imaging X-ray telescope leading to an improvement in sensitivity by several orders of magnitude compared with previous surveys. Consequently a large number of new sources (> 10⁵) will be discovered and located with an accuracy of 1 arcmin. After completion of the survey which will take about half a year the instrument will be used for detailed observations of selected targets.The X-ray telescope consists of a fourfold nested Wolter type I mirror system with 80 cm aperture and 240 cm focal length, and three focal plane detectors. In the baseline version these will be imaging proportional counters (0.1 – 2 keV) providing a field of view of 2⁰ × 2⁰.     

Optical observations of the X-ray source 2S0921-630

We report photometric observations of the optical counterpart of the X-ray source 2S0921-630. The data, obtained at the South African Astronomical Observatory during 3 weeks in 1980 and 1981, are consistent with a 17.9 day periodic modulation of the flux in the B band. Correlated variability of the (B-V) and (U-B) colour indices with the B mag. is demonstrated and quantified. The observed B mag. and colours at maximum and minimum light are used to compute some of the system parameters. A model of 2S0921-630 is proposed in terms of a binary system in which the variable inclination of a luminous accretion disc produces the long-term modulation of the optical flux.     

Spectra and time variability of GX 5-1

From a short observation of GX 5-1 with EXOSAT we have derived information on spectral and temporal behaviour in the energy range 1–20 keV. The source was found to be variable on time scales from 10 s to 1 h. Describing the spectrum one is forced to assume at least two spectral components. The best fit is reached using a spectrum composed of two blackbody functions with typical temperatures 1 keV and 2 keV, corresponding to apparent blackbody radii of 43 km and 11 km, respectively (for a distance of 10 kpc). With respect to the hot component there is evidence for variability in temperature as well as in apparent blackbody radius. No periodic variability has been found over the period range 0.25 s to 2000 s. There is no evidence for an iron emission line.     

EXOSAT medium energy observations of Cyg X-2

On July 5.–6. 1983, during the EXOSAT performance verification (PV) and calibration phase, a raster scan of Cygnus X-2 was performed. In contrast to the previously observed smooth intensity variations on timescales of hours, the source revealed a behaviour unknown until now: active periods with high energy flares recurring on time scales of 300–500 s were interrupted by quiet periods of several hours. At all intensity levels the source spectra clearly require a two component continuum (blackbody + thermal bremsstrahlung). In addition, a weak iron emission line with equivalent widths between 39 an 70 eV was detected. The source has a much harder spectrum during the flares than during quiet periods, indicating drastic temperature changes within the emission region, while the absolute iron line flux does not vary. From the spectral characteristics it becomes clear that self-comptonization of the thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum plays an important role. The time variability and spectral behaviour in this peculiar state allow Cyg X-2 to be classified as a Low Mass X-ray Binary System (LMXB) very similar to the prototype of this class, Sco X-1.     

The long term variability of 4U 1258-61 (GX304-1)

We present optical spectroscopy and photometry of 4U 1258-61 obtained over the course of six years. Evidence for the evolution of a circumstellar envelope throughout the course of the observations is presented.     

LMC X-4, AO538-66 and surrounding X-ray sources observed with EXOSAT

Repeated observations of LMC X-4 with EXOSAT were carried out in 1983/84 in order to study its 30.5 day cycle and to cover the expected outbursts of the recurrent LMC transient A0538-66. The latter source was inactive during our campaign although a variable circumstellar envelope was still present around the optical counterpart.At least ten further X-ray sources are detected in the CMA field of view around LMC X-4 including the SNR N49 which is the possible site for the March 5, 1979 -ray burster and N63A which appears to be variable in X-ray luminosity. We furthermore discuss the strongest sources that were not present in a previous EINSTEIN survey of the LMC.