Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hu, Y. F., Ji, L., Yu, C.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.12155
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866913394179702784
author Hu, Y. F.
Ji, L.
Yu, C.
author_facet Hu, Y. F.
Ji, L.
Yu, C.
contents 4U 1538-522 is a persistent high mass X-ray binary which exhibits secular spin evolution. In 2019, it underwent a torque reversal from spinning up to spinning down. We performed an extensive study using four NuSATR observations to compare temporal and spectral properties during different states. We observed no abrupt change in luminosity associated with the torque reversal. In addition, the pulse profile, the spectral shape and the power spectrum remained unchanged before and after the torque reversal. The orbital and super-orbital modulation profiles also showed no significant changes. We discuss possible mechanisms for the torque reversal and conclude that it is unlikely to be caused by interactions between the accretion disk and the magnetosphere. Instead, the transition of accretion modes in spherical accretion may be a plausible explanation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2406_12155
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A comprehensive comparison of spin-up and spin-down episodes of 4U 1538-522 observed with NuSTAR
Hu, Y. F.
Ji, L.
Yu, C.
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
4U 1538-522 is a persistent high mass X-ray binary which exhibits secular spin evolution. In 2019, it underwent a torque reversal from spinning up to spinning down. We performed an extensive study using four NuSATR observations to compare temporal and spectral properties during different states. We observed no abrupt change in luminosity associated with the torque reversal. In addition, the pulse profile, the spectral shape and the power spectrum remained unchanged before and after the torque reversal. The orbital and super-orbital modulation profiles also showed no significant changes. We discuss possible mechanisms for the torque reversal and conclude that it is unlikely to be caused by interactions between the accretion disk and the magnetosphere. Instead, the transition of accretion modes in spherical accretion may be a plausible explanation.
title A comprehensive comparison of spin-up and spin-down episodes of 4U 1538-522 observed with NuSTAR
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.12155