Binary pulsars observed with MAXI
Abstract
One of the merit of MAXI observation is small constraints of the Sun angle. The nominal avoidance angle is 4 degrees and the observable sky in one days is 95 %. Thus MAXI can monitor the intensities of the Be transient pulsars as well as persistent pulsars continuously. The Be binary pulsars are one of the bright X-ray sources. The optical companion star is rapidly rotating and has a stellar disk around it. When the pulsar passes the disk, it flares up. The size of the outburst depends on the stellar activity. MAXI has monitored some X-ray outbursts from its beginning to the end. The sources are A 0535+26, GX 304-1, GRO J1008-57, 2S 1417-624, V 0332+53, LS V +44 17, XTE J1946+274, and EXO 2030+375. There was an optical observations of H-alpha lines in the giant/normal outbursts of A 0535+26. The X-ray flare period was different from the orbital period. Also, X-ray pre-cursors were seen. Their mechanisms are not certain. The super orbital modulation was observed from Her X-1, LMC X-4, and SMC X-1. A cyclotron line feature was discovered from GX 304-1 by the follow-up observations with RXTE and Suzaku.
- Publication:
-
The First Year of MAXI: Monitoring Variable X-ray Sources
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010fym..confE..24M