2001ApJ...546.1086J -
Astrophys. J., 546, 1086-1097 (2001/January-2)
Optical observations of the black hole candidate XTE J1550-564 during reflare and quiescence.
JAIN R.K., BAILYN C.D., OROSZ J.A., McCLINTOCK J.E., SOBCZAK G.J. and REMILLARD R.A.
Abstract (from CDS):
We report optical monitoring of the soft X-ray transient XTE J1550-564 during the 1999 season (1999 January 4-August 24). The first optical observations available in 1999 show that the peak ``reflare'' brightness had exceeded the peak brightness of the initial optical flare in 1998 September by over half a magnitude. We compare the optical reflare light curves with the total X-ray flux, the power-law flux, and disk flux light curves constructed from the spectral fits to RXTE/PCA data. During the first 60 days of the observed optical reflare, we find no correspondence between the thermal component of the X-rays often associated with a disk and the optical flux–the former remains essentially flat, whereas the latter declines exponentially and exhibits three substantial dips. However, the power-law flux is anticorrelated with the optical dips, suggesting that the optical flux may be up scattered into the X-ray by the hot corona. Periodic modulations were discovered during the final stage of the outburst (May-June), with P=1.546±0.038 days, and during quiescence (July and August), with P=1.540±0.008 days. The analysis of the combined data set reveals a strong signal for a unique period at P=1.541±0.009 days, which we believe to be the orbital period.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
Black Hole Physics - Stars: Individual: Alphanumeric: XTE J1550-564 - X-Rays: Stars
Nomenclature:
Table 2, Fig.2: [JBO2001] A (Nos A-D).
Simbad objects:
12
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