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Register a new userRXTE spectra of the Galactic microquasar GRO J1655-40 during the 2005 outburst
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We report on the results of a detailed spectral analysis of 389 RXTE observations of the Galactic microquasar GRO J1655-40, performed during its 2005 outburst. The maximum luminosity reached during this outburst was 1.4 times higher than in the previous (1996-1997) outburst. However, the spectral behavior during the two outbursts was very similar. In particular, Ldisk was proportional to Tin^4 up to the same critical luminosity and in both outbursts there were periods during which the energy spectra were very soft, but could not be fit with standard disk models.
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We have investigated 52 RXTE pointed observations of GRO J1655-40 spanning the X-ray outburst that commenced on 1996 April 25 and lasted for 16 months. Our X-ray timing analyses reveal four types of QPOs: three with relatively stable central frequencies at 300 Hz, 9 Hz, and 0.1 Hz, and a fourth that varied over the range 14-28 Hz. The 300 Hz and 0.1 Hz QPOs appear only at the highest observed luminosities (Lx > 0.15 Ledd), where the power-law component dominates the X-ray spectrum. At lower luminosity, the disk flux exceeds the power-law flux and only two of the QPOs are observed: the spectrally soft 9 Hz QPO, and the narrow, hard QPO that varies from 14-28 Hz as the hard flux decreases. The 300 Hz QPO is likely to be analogous to the stationary QPO at 67 Hz seen in the microquasar GRS1915+105. We discuss models of these high-frequency QPOs which depend on effects due to general relativity. The 9 Hz QPO displays a spectrum consistent with a thermal origin, but this frequency does not appear to be consistent with any of the natural time scales associated with the disk, or with the inferred values of the mass and rapid spin of the black hole. The mechanism for the 14-28 Hz QPOs appears to be linked to the power-law component, as do the 1-10 Hz QPOs in GRS1915+105. Finally, we show data for GRO J1655-40 and GRS1915+105 as each source teeters between relative stability and a state of intense oscillations at 0.1 Hz. A comparison of the sources spectral parameters allows us to speculate that the black hole mass in GRS1915+105 is very large, possibly in the range 39-70 Msun.
GRO 1655-40, a well known black hole candidate, showed renewed X-ray activity in March 2005 after being dormant for almost eight years. It showed very prominent quasi-periodic oscillations. We analysed the data of two observations in this {it Rapid Communication}, one taken on March 2nd, 2005 and the other taken on the March 11th, 2005. On March 2nd, 2005 the shock was weak and the QPO was seen in roughly all energies. On March 11th, 2005 the power density spectra showed that quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) were exhibited in harder X-rays. On the first day, the QPO was seen at 0.13Hz and on the second day, the QPO was seen at $sim 6.5$Hz with a spectral break at $sim 0.1$Hz. We analysed the QPOs for the period 25th Feb. 2005 to 12th of March, 2005 and showed that the frequency of QPO increased monotonically from 0.088Hz to 15.01Hz. This agrees well if the oscillating shock is assumed to propagate with a constant velocity. On several days we also noticed the presence of very high frequency QPOs and for the first time we detected QPOs in the 600-700Hz range, the highest frequency range so far reported for any black hole candidate.
The spectrum from the black hole X-ray transient GRO J1655-40. obtained using the $Chandra$ High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) in 2005 is notable as a laboratory for the study of warm absorbers, and for the presence of many lines from odd-$Z$ elements between Na and Co (and Ti and Cr) not previously observed in X-rays. We present synthetic spectral models which can be used to constrain these element abundances and other parameters describing the outflow from the warm absorber in this object. We present results of fitting to the spectrum using various tools and techniques, including automated line fitting, phenomenological models, and photoionization modeling. We show that the behavior of the curves of growth of lines from H-like and Li-like ions indicate that the lines are either saturated or affected by filling-in from scattered or a partially covered continuum source. We confirm the conclusion of previous work by cite{Mill06} and cite{Mill08} which shows that the ionization conditions are not consistent with wind driving due to thermal expansion. The spectrum provides the opportunity to measure abundances for several elements not typically observable in the X-ray band. These show a pattern of enhancement for iron peak elements, and solar or sub-solar values for elements lighter than calcium. Models show that this is consistent with enrichment by a core-collapse supernova. We discuss the implications these values for the evolutionary history of this system.
Aims. Motivated by the new determination of the distance to the microquasar GRO J1655-40 by Foellmi et al. (2006), we conduct a detailed study of the distribution of the atomic and molecular gas, and dust around the open cluster NGC 6242, the possible birth place of the microquasar. The proximity and relative height of the cluster on the galactic disk provides a unique opportunity to study SNR evolution and its possible physical link with microquasar formation. Methods. We search in the interstellar atomic and molecular gas around NGC 6242 for traces that may have been left from a supernova explosion associated to the formation of the black hole in GRO J1655-40. Furthermore, the 60/100 mu IR color is used as a tracer of shocked-heated dust. Results. At the kinematical distance of the cluster the observations have revealed the existence of a HI hole of 1.5*1.5 degrees in diameter and compressed CO material acumulated along the south-eastern internal border of the HI cavity. In this same area, we found extended infrared emission with characteristics of shocked-heated dust. Based on the HI, CO and FIR emissions, we suggest that the cavity in the ISM was produced by a supernova explosion occured within NGC 6242. The lower limit to the kinematic energy transferred by the supernova shock to the surrounding interstellar medium is ~ 10^{49} erg and the atomic and molecular mass displaced to form the cavity of ~ 16.500 solar masses. The lower limit to the time elapsed since the SN explosion is ~ 2.2*10^{5} yr, which is consistent with the time required by GRO J1655-40 to move from the cluster up to its present position. The observations suggest that GRO J1655-40 could have been born inside NGC 6242, being one of the nearest microquasars known so far.
We present Swift observations of the black hole X-ray transient, GRO J1655-40, during the recent outburst. With its multiwavelength capabilities and flexible scheduling, Swift is extremely well-suited for monitoring the spectral evolution of such an event. GRO J1655-40 was observed on 20 occasions and data were obtained by all instruments for the majority of epochs. X-ray spectroscopy revealed spectral shapes consistent with the ``canonical low/hard, high/soft and very high states at various epochs. The soft X-ray source (0.3-10 keV) rose from quiescence and entered the low/hard state, when an iron emission line was detected. The soft X-ray source then softened and decayed, before beginning a slow rebrightening and then spending $sim 3$ weeks in the very high state. The hard X-rays (14-150 keV) behaved similarly but their peaks preceded those of the soft X-rays by up to a few days; in addition, the average hard X-ray flux remained approximately constant during the slow soft X-ray rebrightening, increasing suddenly as the source entered the very high state. These observations indicate (and confirm previous suggestions) that the low/hard state is key to improving our understanding of the outburst trigger and mechanism. The optical/ultraviolet lightcurve behaved very differently from that of the X-rays; this might suggest that the soft X-ray lightcurve is actually a composite of the two known spectral components, one gradually increasing with the optical/ultraviolet emission (accretion disc) and the other following the behaviour of the hard X-rays (jet and/or corona).
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