RXTE observations of the 1A 1118-61 in an outburst, and the discovery of a cyclotron line

Doroshenko V, Suchy S, Santangelo A, Staubert R, Kreykenbohm I, Rothschild R, Pottschmidt K, Wilms J (2010)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences

Publisher: EDP SCIENCES S A

Book Volume: 515

Article Number: ARTN L1

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201014858

Abstract

We present the analysis of RXTE monitoring data obtained during the 2009 January outburst of the hard X-ray transient 1A 1118-61. Using these observations the broadband (3.5-120 keV) spectrum of the source was measured for the first time ever. We have found that the broadband continuum spectrum of the source is similar to other accreting pulsars and is well described by several conventionally used phenomenological models. We have discovered that regardless of the applied continuum model, a prominent broad absorption feature at similar to 55 keV is observed. We interpret this feature as a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF). The observed CRSF energy is one of the highest known and corresponds to a magnetic field of B similar to 4.8 x 10(12) G in the scattering region. Our data also indicate the presence of an iron emission line presence that has not been previously reported for 1A 1118-61. Timing properties of the source, including a strong spin-up, were found to be similar to those observed by CGRO/BATSE during the previous outburst, but the broadband capabilities of RXTE reveal a more complicated energy dependency of the pulse-profile.

Authors with CRIS profile

Ingo Kreykenbohm Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut Jörn Wilms Professur für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Involved external institutions

University of Maryland US United States (USA) (US) University of California, San Diego US United States (USA) (US) Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Doroshenko, V., Suchy, S., Santangelo, A., Staubert, R., Kreykenbohm, I., Rothschild, R.,... Wilms, J. (2010). RXTE observations of the 1A 1118-61 in an outburst, and the discovery of a cyclotron line. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 515. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201014858

MLA:

Doroshenko, Victor, et al. "RXTE observations of the 1A 1118-61 in an outburst, and the discovery of a cyclotron line." Astronomy & Astrophysics 515 (2010).

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