Time-series analysis of X-ray variability in the low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1

Session 77 - Binary Stars.
Display session, Wednesday, January 15
Metropolitan Ballroom,

[77.15] Time-series analysis of X-ray variability in the low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1

M. Templeton, B. Mcnamara, P. Mason, T. Harrison (NMSU)

We present the preliminary results of a X-ray variability study of the low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1, utilizing 7-14 keV photometry by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. We have performed a comprehensive search for periodic and quasi-periodic activity on scales of several seconds to years, using both the continuous light curves and our earth-occultation step-flux database spanning the period April 1991 to December 1995. We find strong evidence of short period quasi-periodic variability, notably at \sim 0.14 Hz, and evidence of longer period quasi-periodic variability in the range of 0.002 - 0.007 Hz, using the continuous 2.048 second/integration photometry. An analysis of the step-flux database is not yet complete pending successful calibration of the BATSE photometry for all eight detectors, but preliminary results suggest possible variability on time-scales of \sim 200 days.

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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: mtemplet@nmsu.edu

Program listing for Wednesday