Spectral variability of 4U 1145-619 during X-ray outburst.

Abstract

A series of observations of the X-ray pulsar 4U1145-619 were performed by EXOSAT during successive X-ray outbursts on this source in 1984 July and 1985 January. On all occasions the source exhibited a very hard power-law X-ray spectrum (photon spectral index ≡1.0) with a high-energy cut-off above ≡6 keV. The low-energy cut-off in the X-ray spectrum, in contrast to the other spectral parameters, exhibited significant variations over the observations. Optical spectroscopy of the Be star Hen 715, identified as the optical counterpart of 4U1145-619, was performed during the 1985 January X-ray outburst. The resulting spectra revealed a marked decrease in the strength of the broad blue component of the dominant Hα emission line as the X-ray outburst progressed. There was, however, no evidence for any pulse phase dependency or short-term variability in either the Hα of Hβ emission lines. These X-ray and optical observations are interpreted in terms of a neutron star passing through the circumstellar envelope of its Be companion.