Timing analysis of low-energy gamma ray emission from galactic compact objects using the Gamma Ray Observatory

The principal goal of our phase 1 investigation was the development of techniques and data analysis tools for pulsar searches and timing. After the launch of the Compton Observatory, we received from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) team one day of discriminator large area (DISCLA) data for use in the development and testing of data analysis techniques. Using this first day of data for testing and optimizing our timing tools we detected four x-ray binary pulsars, Vela X-1, Cen X-3, 4U 0115+63, and GX 301-2. Subsequently, we received four more days of data, allowing us to test our timing tools with data from a variety of days. In summary, using the tools we developed based on the first day of data that we received, we have detected 8 pulsars in 5 days of data, or roughly one quarter of the approximately 30 known x-ray binary pulsars. In addition to the pulsars listed above, we detected GX 1+4, 4U 1626-67, OAO 1657-415, and Her X-1. Many of the data analysis tools that we developed have been ported to MSFC and are being used for the analysis of BATSE data. This appendix describes some of the timing tools and presents preliminary pulse period and phase profile results.