On the cyclotron line in Cepheus X-4

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https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/abs/2007/30/aa7238-07/aa7238-07.html

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https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20077238
 http://hdl.handle.net/11603/30000

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UMBC Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST) / Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences & Technology II (CRSST II)
UMBC Physics Department

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4656-6881

Date

2007-05-25

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journal articles
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McBride, V. A., J. Wilms, I. Kreykenbohm, M. J. Coe, R. E. Rothschild, P. Kretschmar, K. Pottschmidt, J. Fisher, and T. Hamson. “On the Cyclotron Line in Cepheus X-4.” Astronomy & Astrophysics 470, no. 3 (August 1, 2007): 1065–70. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20077238.

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Abstract

Context.Accreting X-ray pulsars provide us with laboratories for the study of extreme gravitational and magnetic fields, hence accurate descriptions of their observational properties contribute to our understanding of this group of objects. Aims.We aim to detect a cyclotron resonance scattering feature in the Be/X-ray binary Cep X-4 and to investigate pulse profile and spectral changes through the outburst. Methods.Spectral fitting and timing analysis are employed to probe the properties of Cep X-4 during an outburst in 2002 June. Results.A previously announced cyclotron feature at 30.7 keV is confirmed, while the source shows spectral behaviour and luminosity related changes similar to those observed in previous outbursts. The long-term X-ray lightcurve shows a periodicity at 20.85 d, which could be attributed to the orbit in this Be system.