The 41.5 day binary X-ray pulsar 4U 1223-62 (GX 301-2).
Abstract
Ariel 5 and SAS 3 X-ray pulse timing data for the 700 s X-ray pulsar 4U 1223 - 62 (GX 301 - 2) are reexamined in order to deduce the orbital elements of this system. The Ariel 5/SAS 3 arrival times are first reanalyzed to obtain the best solution for an orbital period close to 41.5 days and to estimate the uncertainties in it caused by unknown variations in the underlying pulse period. Spectral measurements by OSO 8 and HEAO 1 at a variety of orbital phases are presented and the origin of an unabsorbed, unpulsed soft component is discussed. OSO 8 observations of occasions when the amplitude and shape of the pulse profile changed dramatically are discussed. The global X-ray properties of the system are explained in terms of a simple stellar wind accretion model, and the interaction of the inflowing material with the neutron star magnetosphere is considered.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1086/162744
- Bibcode:
- 1984ApJ...287..856W
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Pulsars;
- Satellite Observation;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- X Ray Stars;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Heao 1;
- Neutron Stars;
- Orbital Elements;
- Oso-8;
- Periodic Variations;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Astrophysics