Jets from Compact X-ray Sources
Abstract
Jets have been observed from both neutron stars and black holes in binary X-ray sources. The neutron star jets are typically 30 times weaker than the black-hole ones. Thus, the second have been studied more extensively. Contrary to common belief, jets from compact X-ray sources are not simply “fireworks” that emit radio waves. I will demonstrate that they play a central role in the observed phenomena in both neutron star and black-hole systems. In particular, for black-hole jets, a simple jet model can explain the very stringent correlations that have been found between the power-law X-ray spectrum and a) the time lag between hard and soft X-rays and b) the characteristic frequencies observed in the power spectra. Up to now, no other model has even attempted to explain these correlations. I will present the weaknesses of the model and the improvements that need to be done to it.
- Publication:
-
Highlights of Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- November 2010
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921310009142
- Bibcode:
- 2010HiA....15..266K
- Keywords:
-
- X-ray sources;
- black holes;
- neutron stars;
- jets