Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

35-Day and Orbital RXTE/PCA X-Ray Lightcurves of Hercules X-1

Version 1 : Received: 26 April 2023 / Approved: 27 April 2023 / Online: 27 April 2023 (07:59:27 CEST)

How to cite: Leahy, D.; Gonzalez Enriquez, S. 35-Day and Orbital RXTE/PCA X-Ray Lightcurves of Hercules X-1. Preprints 2023, 2023041059. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.1059.v1 Leahy, D.; Gonzalez Enriquez, S. 35-Day and Orbital RXTE/PCA X-Ray Lightcurves of Hercules X-1. Preprints 2023, 2023041059. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.1059.v1

Abstract

The archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) Proportional Counter Array (PCA) observations of HZ Her/Her X-1 are analyzed here. The time periods for Anomalous Low States are refined. The 35-day X-ray lightcurve of Her X-1 is produced using 35-day phases determined with RXTE All-Sky Monitor (ASM) and Swift Burst Altert Telescope (BAT) data, with adjustments based on the RXTE/PCA data. The result is the highest sensitivity 35-day lightcurve of Her X-1. The RXTE/PCA data were separated into 8 differents states of the 35-day cycle: Main High (MH) turn-on, MH, MH decline, Low State (LS) 1, Short High (SH) turn-on, SH, SH decline, and LS2. Orbital lightcurves were created for each state, and the different states are compared. Eclipse data was extracted for each state to determine the changes of eclipse shape with 35-day phase. A scattering corona model was fit to the eclipses for the different 35-day states: this shows that the corona is present at all 35-day phases with similar intensity. We carried out a search for previously-reported dips with no absorption, but did not find any.

Keywords

neutron stars; X-ray binaries; accretion disks

Subject

Physical Sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics

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