Spectral study of a giant X-ray flare on Algol.
Abstract
During the long ROSAT PSPC observation of Algol in August 1992, a giant, long-duration X-ray flare has been detected. Spectral fits with a one-temperature thermal model indicate significant variations of the metal abundance Z over the flare. Thereby, the abundance increases from Z ≅ 0.2 to 0.8 during the rise phase, and again decreases to Z ≅ 0.4 during the decay. Further, during the early flare rise, the plasma temperature and density are maximal (T ≅ 108K, ne ≅ 5×1011cm-3). The flare has a thermal energy of 7×1036erg, a peak luminosity of 2×1032erg/s and is classified as two-ribbon. Because of re-heating the flare plasma does not cool quasistatically; nevertheless, applying the quasistatic cooling method, a loop length of 5×1011cm and a flaring volume of 1×1034cm3 are derived.
- Publication:
-
Roentgenstrahlung from the Universe
- Pub Date:
- February 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996rftu.proc...57O
- Keywords:
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- Algol Systems: X-Ray Flares