Astrophysics and Space Science

, Volume 42, Issue 1, pp 175–184 | Cite as

ANS observations of Cygnus X-1

  • D. R. Parsignault
  • A. Epstein
  • J. Grindlay
  • E. Schreier
  • H. Schnopper
  • H. Gursky
  • Y. Tanaka
  • A. C. Brinkman
  • J. Heise
  • J. Schrijver
  • R. Mewe
  • E. Gronenschild
  • A. den Boggende
Article

Abstract

Cygnus X-1 was observed from 3 November until 9 November, 1974, using the hard X-ray (1–28 keV) and soft X-ray (1–8 keV) experiment on board the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite. On three occasions, on 4 and 5 November, the X-ray spectrum was observed to be harder, while the flux intensity in the 1–7 keV ranges decreased by ∼50% from its quiescent value. These events occurred near and following the time of superior conjunction of the likely optical counterpart HDE 226 868. These events appear to be the same as previously reported absorption dips and reveal this phenomenon to be more complex than had been believed. A systematic study of the X-ray spectral variations in these energy bands, on a time scale of 64 seconds over the period of the spectroscopic binary, is presented.

Keywords

Systematic Study Energy Band Spectral Variation Flux Intensity Optical Counterpart 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Copyright information

© D. Reidel Publishing Company 1976

Authors and Affiliations

  • D. R. Parsignault
    • 1
  • A. Epstein
    • 2
  • J. Grindlay
    • 2
  • E. Schreier
    • 2
  • H. Schnopper
    • 2
  • H. Gursky
    • 2
  • Y. Tanaka
    • 3
  • A. C. Brinkman
    • 3
  • J. Heise
    • 3
  • J. Schrijver
    • 3
  • R. Mewe
    • 3
  • E. Gronenschild
    • 3
  • A. den Boggende
    • 3
  1. 1.American Science and Engineering, Inc.CambridgeUSA
  2. 2.Center for AstrophysicsHarvard College Observatory and Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryCambridgeUSA
  3. 3.Space Research LaboratoryUtrechtNetherlands

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