Multiwavelength Studies of Cygnus X-3
Abstract
We report a series of new observations of Cyg X-3 at radio and X-ray wavelengths. We review critically reported observations of (gamma)-rays and secondary muons from Cyg X-3. Our observations of low-level radio emission from Cyg X-3 show that this emission is characterized by successive flares whose spectral evolution is similar to the giant radio flares observed in Cyg X-3. As with the giant flares, we interpret these flares to be expanding sources of electron synchrotron radiation. We find that the timing of the flare onsets are periodic with a period several percent longer than the binary orbital period. We suggest the radio period is the result of periodic modulation of the binary separation. Modulation at the radio period may be caused by precession of the line of apsides in an eccentric orbit. We perform three body simulations that show that the modulation of the binary separation in a triple system may mimic the radio period much of the time, but would also show well-defined phase jumps twice per orbit of the third star. We present VLBI data at 1.3 cm wavelength that confirm our interpretation of the flares as expanding sources. We find that the effect of X-ray scattering by the interstellar medium on the observed X-ray light curve is to decrease the depth of modulation from its intrinsic value for photon energies less than 6 keV. EXOSAT observations of the X-ray light curve show that the shape of the light curve as well as its depth is dependent on photon energy. These data are not consistent with either cocoon or stellar wind models for the light curve. They are consistent with an accretion disk corona model. We elaborate the accretion disk corona model of White and Holt (1982) by relaxing several simplifying that they make. We review the evidence for detections (gamma) -rays and secondary muons from Cyg X-3 and find no convincing evidence for either. Our results show that Cyg X-3 is an important source for the study of binary evolution, accretion disk structure, and the formation and evolution of radio jets.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985PhDT........12M
- Keywords:
-
- X-RAY BINARIES;
- SYNCHROTRON EMISSION;
- TRIPLE SYSTEMS;
- RADIO JETS;
- Physics: Astronomy and Astrophysics;
- Binary Stars;
- Radio Stars;
- Stellar Flares;
- Variable Stars;
- X Ray Stars;
- Accretion Disks;
- Exosat Satellite;
- Gamma Rays;
- Muons;
- Radio Jets (Astronomy);
- Stellar Coronas;
- Astronomy