Testing the Kerr hypothesis using x-ray reflection spectroscopy with NuSTAR data of Cygnus X-1 in the soft state
Abstract
We continue exploring the constraining capabilities of x-ray reflection spectroscopy to test the Kerr-nature of astrophysical black holes, and we present the results of our analysis of two NuSTAR observations of Cygnus X-1 in the soft state. We find that the final measurement can strongly depend on the assumption of the intensity profile. We conclude that Cygnus X-1 is not suitable for tests of general relativity using x-ray reflection spectroscopy, and we discuss the desired properties of a source to be a good candidate for our studies.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review D
- Pub Date:
- June 2019
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1904.08027
- Bibcode:
- 2019PhRvD..99l3007L
- Keywords:
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- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 15 pages, 8 figures. v2: refereed version