Evidence of a parsec-scale X-ray jet from the accreting neutron star circinus X-1

S. Heinz, N. S. Schulz, W. N. Brandt, D. K. Galloway

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37 Scopus citations

Abstract

We analyzed the zero-order image of a 50 ks Chandra gratings observation of Circinus X-1, taken in 2005 during the source's low-flux state. Circinus X-1 is an accreting neutron star that exhibits ultrarelativistic arcsecond-scale radio jets and diffuse arcminute-scale radio jets and lobes. The image shows a clear excess along the general direction of the northwestern counterjet, coincident with the radio emission, suggesting that it originates either in the jet itself or in the shock that the jet is driving into its environment. This makes Circinus X-1 the first neutron star for which an extended X-ray jet has been detected. The kinetic jet power that we infer is significantly larger than the minimum power required for the jet to inflate the large-scale radio nebula.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L93-L96
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume663
Issue number2 II
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 10 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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