Simultaneous X-Ray, Ultraviolet, and Optical Observations of LMC X-3
Abstract
The black hole candidate LMC X-3 was observed simultaneously at X- ray (Ginga), UV (IUE), and optical frequencies in 1988 January. The X- ray energy distribution is the superposition of a thermal component and a hard tail. The former component can be described equally well by a Comptonization spectrum or by a disk blackbody. In the latter picture, the high-energy tail may derive from the inner part of the accretion disk, which is hot and transparent. Optical and UV data indicate a very low state of the source. Comparing with 1984 observations, one finds that the optical-to-X-ray flux ratio is not maintained, possibly indicating a secular variation of the disk structure, or a change of the anisotropy of the X-ray emission.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1086/169410
- Bibcode:
- 1990ApJ...364..266T
- Keywords:
-
- Black Holes (Astronomy);
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Ultraviolet Astronomy;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- X Ray Sources;
- Iue;
- Power Spectra;
- Spectral Energy Distribution;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Astrophysics;
- BLACK HOLES;
- RADIATION MECHANISMS;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: LMC X-3;
- ULTRAVIOLET: SPECTRA;
- X-RAYS: BINARIES