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Outbursts of Cygnus X-3 observed at 1.3 and 3.3 mm wavelengths

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Abstract

The X-ray source Cyg X-3 is associated with a radio source which shows irregular, fast and extremely strong outbursts of radiation. The first such event was seen in September 1972 by many observers over a wide frequency range1; several more events have occurred since then. The main characteristics of the outbursts have been described by the behaviour of an expanding synchrotron source, which undergoes adiabatic and synchrotron losses1,8. However, the detailed physics of the outbursts remains to be understood, in spite of a growing set of observational data. Here we report observations of Cyg X-3 made simultaneously at wavelengths of 1.3 and 3.3 mm, showing outbursts with an intensity of several Janskys and a duration of only a few hours.

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Baars, J., Altenhoff, W., Hein, H. et al. Outbursts of Cygnus X-3 observed at 1.3 and 3.3 mm wavelengths. Nature 324, 39–40 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/324039a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/324039a0

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