Search for X-ray eclipses in the 1969 outburst of Centaurus X-4.
Abstract
The soft X-ray transient Cen X-4 has recently been shown to exhibit a 15.1 h optical modulation during quiescence which has been suggested to be the binary orbital period. Based on the appearance of the optical light curve, it was suggested that the orbital inclination was more than 80 deg implying that there should be X-ray eclipses. The Vela 5 B data of the 1969 outburst of Cen X-4 was searched for evidence of X-ray eclipses on the 15.1 h period. X-ray eclipses of length over 5 min can be ruled out at better than the 10 sigma level. Thus, unless the size of the X-ray source greatly expands during outburst, the orbital inclination of Cen X-4 is likely to be less than 80 deg.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990A&A...238..140W
- Keywords:
-
- Eclipsing Binary Stars;
- X Ray Binaries;
- K Stars;
- Light Curve;
- Vela Satellites;
- Astronomy