CYGNUS X-3's LITTLE FRIEND

Using the unique X-ray imaging capabilities of the Chandra X-ray observatory, a 2006 observation of Cygnus X-3 has provided insight into a singular feature associated with this well-known microquasar. This extended emission, located ~16" from Cygnus X-3, varies in flux and orbital phase (shifte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Astrophysical journal Vol. 762; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
Main Authors McCollough, M L, Smith, R K, VALENCIC, L A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2013
Subjects
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
BINARY STARS
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DENSITY
Emission
EMISSION SPECTRA
Flux
Globules
Line of sight
MASS
Microquasars
PHASE SHIFT
PHOTON EMISSION
QUASARS
X RADIATION
X-ray mirrors
X-RAY SPECTRA
X-rays
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Summary:Using the unique X-ray imaging capabilities of the Chandra X-ray observatory, a 2006 observation of Cygnus X-3 has provided insight into a singular feature associated with this well-known microquasar. This extended emission, located ~16" from Cygnus X-3, varies in flux and orbital phase (shifted by 0.56 in phase) with Cygnus X-3, acting like a celestial X-ray "mirror." The feature's spectrum, flux, and time variations allow us to determine the location, size, density, and mass of the scatterer. We find that the scatterer is a Bok Globule located along our line of sight, and we discuss its relationship to Cygnus X-3. This is the first time such a feature has been identified with Chandra.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.1088/0004-637X/762/1/2