COS-B observations of long term variability and absorption phenomena in the X-ray emission from Cen X-3.
Bignami, G. F.; Molteni, D.; Hermsen, W.; Bennett, K.; Kanbach, G.; Lichti, G. G.; Mayer-Hasselwander, H. A.; Paul, J. A.; Swanenburg, B. N.; Taylor, B. G.; Wills, R. D.; Paizis, C.; Fiordilino, E.; di Gesu, V.; Soroka, F.
Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France
Abstract
Summary: The CO S-B satellite has observed the X-ray source Cen X-3 in the energy range 2 to 12 keV between 1975 Decenber 24 and 1976 January 23. Preliminary results based on about 10% of the data from the X-ray detector indicate that the source increased in emission during this period reaching a broad maximum around January 8. The three entrances into eclipse that were observed occurred at an average phase value of = 0.89. Absorption dips were observed at phase values of = 0.55 and = 0.87.