X-Ray Bursts from 4U 1705-44: Another Case of Burst Properties Dependent on the Strength of the Persistent Emission

Three Exosat observations are reported of the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1705-44 during which X-ray bursts are detected. Seventeen bursts are recorded in the low-intensity state and seven bursts in the medium-intensity state, of which 22 are suitable for a detailed analysis. Correlations between the burst properties and the strength of the persistent emission are found, and the results are presented. The results are interpreted in the context of accretion rate-dependent changes in the composition of the nuclear fuel. Leakage of nuclear energy between bursts is required to explain the burst fluences in the medium-state bursts.