Simultaneous X-Ray and Infrared Observations of Cygnus X-3

Abstract

Cygnus X-3 has been observed simultaneously in the X-ray and infrared spectral bands. A series of short flares were detected in the infrared. The most intense of these involve a doubling of the 2.2 micron flux. No counterparts of the flares were unequivocably detected in the X-ray band; the ratio of the flare energy emitted in the 1.5-10.0 keV and 2.0-2.4 micron bands is less than 40. The infrared flare events are interpreted as emission from clumps of hot material being ejected from the system in jets, and it is predicted that they are the precursors of radio flares which originate in outlying jet regions. In addition to the flares , the infrared emission is modulated with the 4.8 hr X-ray period.