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Time-resolved imaging and spectral studies of an X-ray burst from the globular cluster TerzanThe first image of an X-ray burst was recorded with the HRI detector at the Einstein Observatory while observing the globular cluster Terzan 2. The burst was coincident with a persistent X-ray source located near the center of the cluster (thus confirming an earlier suggested identification) and reached a peak luminosity exceeding 5 x 10 to the 38th (d/10 kpc) squared. After a rapid rise to peak luminosity, a double-peaked spectral variation was observed over the next approximately 20 s with anticorrelated changes in the apparent emission region radius and temperature derived from blackbody (and modified blackbody) spectral fits. A shell or disk geometry, which undergoes adiabatic expansion and contraction, may be implied for the burst emission region. Alternatively, Comptonization is required. It is also shown that the peak burst luminosity must exceed the Eddington limit.
Document ID
19810029628
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Grindlay, J. E.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Marshall, H. L.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Hertz, P.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Weisskopf, M. C.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Elsner, R. F.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Ghosh, P.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Darbro, W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Ala., United States)
Sutherland, P. G.
(McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
Soltan, A.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
September 15, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
81A14032
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-30751
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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