BATSE observations of GRO J0422+ 32, an X-ray nova in Perseus.

Abstract:

Phase-and intensity resolved analysis of the 0.1-10 keV X-ray spectrum of AM Herculis, obtained with EXOSAT when the object was in the'reverse soft X-ray mode", indicates that in this mode accretion is taking place onto two magnetic poles. Each pole has its own soft/hard X-ray luminosity balance, and soft X-ray spectral characteristics. The soft X-ray dim pole does not exhibit the notorious soft/hard luminosity discrepancy, whereas the characteristics of the soft X-ray bright pole are similar to those at previous epochs. The time variability characteristics of the X-ray signal support this interpretation. It appears that accretion onto one pole proceeds through a radiatively cooling accretion column, while at the other pole the accretion power is directly deposited into the white dwarf atmosphere in the form of kinetic energy of dense blobs.

Año de publicación:

1992

Keywords:

Fuente:

google