Ariel V Hard X-ray Observations of VELA X-1
Abstract
The binary X-ray pulsar Vela X-1 (3U 0900-40) was observed by the Ariel V satellite from February 7, 1979, for approximately 40 days. Data analysis led to a spectral point in the low energy (2.9-7.6 keV) range, and two upper limits in the high energy (26-122 keV) range. The results are compared with the high energy balloon data of the Munich group. Fit with a modified black body spectrum at kT of about 10 keV is shown to be good. At energies of about 40 keV, data from both observations show a steeper cutoff behavior than that predicted by the modified black body. This appears to suggest the presence of strong magnetic fields in the neutron star polar cap region responsible for the hard X-ray emission of Vela X-1.
- Publication:
-
Astrophysical Letters
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982ApL....22..135L
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Pulsars;
- Stellar Magnetic Fields;
- X Ray Sources;
- Ariel 5 Satellite;
- Neutron Stars;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- X Ray Stars;
- Astrophysics