Discovery of a Long-Term Periodic Variation in LMC X-3
Abstract
The highly variable X-ray luminosity of LMC X-3 is found to be strongly modulated with a period of ~198 (or possibly ~99) days. Observations from both Ginga and HEAO 1 satellites show this periodic variation. For energies < 13 keV, the X-ray intensity and hardness are positively correlated; for higher energies, there appears to be no correlation. Available optical photometry indicates the mean V brightness also varies by > 1 mag with this same long-term period. The regularity of this "clock" in LMC X-3 suggests that it may be related to an accretion disk precession, similar to that seen in LMC X-4, Her X-1, SS 433, or possibly periodic variations in the mass transfer rate.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/170676
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...381..526C
- Keywords:
-
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Variable Stars;
- X Ray Binaries;
- Accretion Disks;
- Heao 1;
- Long Term Effects;
- X Ray Stars;
- Astronomy;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: LMC X-3;
- X-RAYS: BINARIES