Abstract
Einstein Observatory and Exosat X-ray data from 1E0630 + 178 reveal a ∼50% periodic emission at ≥59 s. This confirms the earlier SAS 2 and COS B findings on 2CG195 + 4 at E> 50 MeV, and provides the temporal signature for the identification of Geminga. The observations, spanning over a decade (1973–83), also suggest a very high positive period derivative, P, which has become still higher between 1979 and 1983. A simple source scenario is proposed, based on a binary system containing a compact object responsible for the high energy emission, and also taking into account recent ultra high energy γ-ray measurements.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fichtel, C. E. et al. Astrophys. J. 198, 163 (1975).
Thompson, D. J., Fichtel, C. E., Hartman, R. C., Kniffen, D. A. & Lamb, R. C. Astrophys. J. 213, 252–262 (1977).
Swanenburg, B. N. et al. Astrophys. J. Lett. 243, L69–L73 (1981).
Bignami, G. F. & Hermsen, W. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 21, 67 (1983).
Caraveo, P. A., Bignami, G. F., Vigroux, L. & Paul, J. A. Astrophys. J. Lett. 276, L45–L47 (1984).
Bignami, G. F., Caraveo, P. A. & Lamb, R. C. Astrophys. J. Lett. 272, L9–L13 (1983).
Caraveo, P. A., Bignami, G. F., Giommi, P., Mereghetti, S. & Paul, J. A. Nature 310, 481–483 (1984).
Masnou, J. L. et al. Proc. 12th ESLAB Symp. 33 (ESA SP 124, 1977).
Masnou, J. L. et al. 17th I.C.R.C. Paris 1, 177 (1981).
Zyskin, Yu. L. & Mukanov, D. B. Soviet. Astr. Lett. 9, 117–118 (1983).
Hertz, P. L. & Grindlay, J. E. Astrophys. J. (in the press).
Exosat Observer Guide ESA (1984).
Stephenson, F. R. Q. Jl R. astr. Soc. 17, 121–124 (1976).
Stephenson, F. R. & Clark, D. H. Monogr. astr. Subjects 4 (Hilger, Bristol, 1978).
Xi Ze-Zong & Po Shu-jen Science 155, 597–603 (1966).
Maraschi, L. & Treves, A. Astr. Astrophys. 61, L11–L13 (1977).
Halpern, J. P., Grindley, J. E., Bignami, G. F. & Caraveo, P. A. IAU Circ. No. 3907 (1984).
Halpern, J. P. & Grindlay, J. E. Bull. Am. astr. Soc. 15, 909 (1983).
Vestrand, W. T. & Eichler, D. Astrophys. J. 261, 251 (1982).
Warner, B. in Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects (eds Livio, M. & Shaviv, G.) 155 (Reidel, Dordrecht, 1983).
Katz, J. I. in Positron–Electron Pairs in Astrophysics (eds Burns, M. L., Harding, A. K. & Ramaty, R.) 65 (American Inst. of Physics, 1983).
Greenstein, G. Astrophys. J. 231, 880–895 (1979).
Canal, R. & Schatzmann, E. Astr. Astrophys. 46, 229–235 (1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bignami, G., Caraveo, P. & Paul, J. Evidence for an increasing 59-s period in the X-ray emission from Geminga. Nature 310, 464–469 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/310464a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/310464a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Discovery of soft X-ray pulsations from the γ-ray source Geminga
Nature (1992)
-
The 59 s periodicity of 2CG 195 + 4 (Geminga) and a low-mass binary model
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (1986)
-
A model of object Geminga as a degenerate white dwarf orbiting around a black hole
Nature (1985)