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An 'outside-in' outburst of Aql X-1
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 17:03 authored by Shahbaz, T, Bandyopadhyay, RM, Charles, PA, Wagner, RM, Muhli, P, Hakala, P, Casares, J, Greenhill, JGWe present optical spectroscopy and optical and infrared photometry of the neutron star soft X-ray transient Aql X-1 during its X-ray outburst of 1997 August. By modelling the X-ray, optical and IR light curves, we find a 3-d delay between the IR and X-ray rise times, analogous to the UV-optical delay seen in dwarf novae outbursts and black hole X-ray transients. We interpret this delay as the signature of an 'outside-in' outburst, in which a thermal instability in the outer disc propagates inward. This outburst is the first of this type definitively identified in a neutron star X-ray transient.
History
Publication title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyVolume
300Issue
4Pagination
1035-1040ISSN
0035-8711Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Blackwell Publishing LtdPlace of publication
London, EnglandRepository Status
- Restricted