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An IR, optical and X-ray study of the two state behaviour of GX 339-4

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Abstract

We review results of correlated IR, optical and X-ray observations of GX 339-4 made from March 1981 through May 1984. In the soft X-ray state, the object does not show outstanding optical and X-ray variability. Night-to-night smooth optical variations of 0.3 magnitudes were however present during one observing run. In contrast, the hard X-ray state is characterised by strong erratic optical and X-ray fluctuations on time scales from 20 milliseconds to seconds, as well as 7 to 20 second quasi-periodic oscillations. The optical counterpart appears much redder in the IR during the hard state. Particular attention is drawn to the hard to soft X-ray transition which occured in June 1981. The shape of the IR to X-ray energy distribution is discussed. The unusual features of this ‘black hole candidate’ are examined in the framework of the current theories of accretion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Observatoire de Besançon, 41bis av. de l'Observatoire, F-25000, Besançon

    C. Motch, S. A. Ilovaisky & C. Chevalier

  2. E.S.O., Karl Schwarzschild str. 2, D-8046, Garching bei München

    P. Angebault

Authors
  1. C. Motch
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  2. S. A. Ilovaisky
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  3. C. Chevalier
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  4. P. Angebault
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Based partly on observations obtained at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.

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Motch, C., Ilovaisky, S.A., Chevalier, C. et al. An IR, optical and X-ray study of the two state behaviour of GX 339-4. Space Sci Rev 40, 219–224 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212888

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