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On the Nature of the Eclipsing Bright X-ray Source in the Circinus Galaxy FieldThe X-ray spectrum and light curve of the bright source CG X-1 in the field of the Circinus galaxy are re-examined. Previous analyses have concluded that the source is an accreting black hole of about 50 solar masses although it was noted that the light curve resembles that of an AM Her-type system. Here we show that the light curve and orbital dynamics constrain the mass of the compact object to less than 30 solar masses and the mass of the companion to less than 1 solar mass. Combining the mass constraints with the observed X-ray flux, we show that an accreting object must either radiate anisotropically or strongly violate the Eddington limit. If the emission is beamed, then the companion star, which intercepts this flux during eclipse, will be driven out of thermal equilibrium and evaporate within approx. 103 yr. We find, therefore, that the observations are most consistent with the interpretation of CG X-1 as a bright, long-period, AM Her system in the Milky Way.
Document ID
20030062185
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Weisskopf, M. C.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Wu, K.
(University Coll. London, United Kingdom)
Tennant, A. F.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Swartz, D. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 22, 2003
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: HEAD 2003: Seventh Meeting of the AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division
Location: Mt. Tremblant, Quebec
Country: Canada
Start Date: March 23, 2003
End Date: March 26, 2003
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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