Swift/BAT detects increased hard X-ray activity from GX 304-1
Abstract
The Swift/BAT hard X-ray transient monitor reports increased activity in the 15-50 keV band for the transient pulsar and Be/X-ray binary and HMXB GX 304-1. Starting on 21-Mar-2010 (MJD 55276), the source has increased in intensity from an undetectable level (one-sigma upper limit of 0.002 cts/cm2/sec or 8 mcrab) up to a current level of 0.036 ± 0.002 cts/cm2/sec (160 mcrab) on 05-Apr-2010. This is the highest rate seen in the BAT monitor since the peak two days of its outburst in Nov-2009 (Yamamoto et al, ATel #2297) and the longest sustained outburst seen from this source since the start of the Swift mission in Nov-2004.
- Publication:
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The Astronomer's Telegram
- Pub Date:
- April 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010ATel.2538....1K
- Keywords:
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- X-ray;
- Binaries;
- Neutron Stars;
- Pulsars;
- Transients