Hard X-Ray Bursts
Abstract
W. Mayer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reports that the SAS-3 Observatory has detected eleven events, most likely produced by extremely intense recurrent bursts of hard x-rays. The bursts were detected on Oct. 22d19h36m11s, Nov. 6d03h25m31s, 6d04h14m33s, 6d15h12m26s, 7d08h31m15s, 8d13h37m18s, 9d03h47m32s, 9d19h35m00s, 10d07h22m30s, 10d14h28m08s and 10d14h31m38s UT. Each event produced simultaneous signals in several detectors whose fields of view do not overlap. The bursts must therefore have been of sufficient intensity and penetration to register through the sides of the detectors; it is estimated that the incident flux of energy in each burst exceeded 10**-6 erg cm**-2. Bursts of this kind have not been observed before by SAS 3, and it therefore seems very likely that the burst activity started only recently. Positional analysis based on earth blockage places the source within the ~ 35o right-ascension interval from R.A = 22h20m to 0h40m or within ~ 25o of the celestial poles. Observations from other satellites of these and possible future bursts from this source would be most helpful in reducing the positional uncertainty.
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- November 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976IAUC.3006....1M