2004/07/19 by R. I. Hynes, P. A. Charles, M. R. Garcia +12 · 3 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #High-pressure geophysics and materials #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/424005
published as Astrophys.J. 611 (2004) L125-L128 · 5 pages; Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters
arxiv created 2004/07/19 · openalex publication_date 2004/07/21 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
We report simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of V404 Cyg in quiescence. The X-ray flux varied dramatically by a factor of ≳20 during a 60 ks observation. X-ray variations were well correlated with those in Hα, although the latter include an approximately constant component as well. Correlations can also be seen with the optical continuum, although these are less clear. We see no large lag between X-ray and optical line variations; this implies they are causally connected on short timescales. As in previous observations, Hα flares exhibit a double-peaked profile suggesting emission distributed across the accretion disk. The peak separation is consistent with material extending outward to at least the circularization radius. The prompt response in the entire Hα line confirms that the variability is powered by X-ray (and/or EUV) irradiation.