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On the physics of Circinus X-1. I. Periodic flares in the X-ray, optical and radio regimes

  • Theoretical aspects of relativistic astrophysics
  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Gravitational Radiation, Collapsed Objects and Exact Solutions

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 124))

Abstract

Data from the X-ray, radio and optical observations of Circinus X-1 are used to derive a binary star model for this object. Mass transfer between the primary star (Mp ∼ 20 Mp), and the compact companion star (Mc = Me), most likely a neutron star, triggers one or more expanding Eddington luminosity-driven shocks in the vicinity of the compact star which in turn produce radio emission. Variable optical emission results from the changing Roche lobe surface in the highly eccentric system (e ∼ 0.8). The X-ray radiation results from the matter in the accretion disk dribbling down on to the surface of the compact star. Disk replenishment per orbit (5 × 10−8 to 5 × 10−10 Mp) occurs near periastron passage. The variation of the X-ray emission is caused by absorption of the X-rays in the stellar wind of the primary star.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Radiophysics, CSIRO, Sydney, Australia

    R. F. Haynes

  2. Department of Physics, University of Chicago, I11. 60637, Chicago, USA

    I. Lerche

  3. Anglo-Australian Observatory, Sydney, Australia

    P. G. Murdin

Authors
  1. R. F. Haynes
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  2. I. Lerche
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  3. P. G. Murdin
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Editor information

Cyril Edwards

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© 1980 Springer-Verlag

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Haynes, R.F., Lerche, I., Murdin, P.G. (1980). On the physics of Circinus X-1. I. Periodic flares in the X-ray, optical and radio regimes. In: Edwards, C. (eds) Gravitational Radiation, Collapsed Objects and Exact Solutions. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 124. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-09992-1_106

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-09992-1_106

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-09992-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-39290-3

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