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A long, hard look at the low/hard state in accreting black holes

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Miller, J. M., Homan, J., Steeghs, D. (Danny), 1972-, Rupen, M., Hunstead, R. W., Wijnands, R., Charles, P. A. and Fabian, A. C., 1948-. (2006) A long, hard look at the low/hard state in accreting black holes. The Astrophysical Journal, Vol.653 (No.1). pp. 525-535. ISSN 0004-637X

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Abstract

We present the first results of coordinated multiwavelength observations of the Galactic black hole GX 339-4 in a canonical low/hard state, obtained during its 2004 outburst. XMM-Newton observed the source for two revolutions, or approximately 280 ks; RXTE monitored the source throughout this long stare. The resulting data offer the best view yet obtained of the inner accretion flow geometry in the low/hard state, which is thought to be analogous to the geometry in low-luminosity active galactic nuclei. The XMM-Newton spectra clearly reveal the presence of a cool accretion disk component and a relativistic Fe K emission line. The results of fits made to both components strongly suggest that a standard thin disk remains at or near to the innermost stable circular orbit, at least in bright phases of the low/hard state. These findings indicate that potential links between the inner disk radius and the onset of a steady compact jet, and the paradigm of a radially recessed disk in the low/hard state, do not hold universally. The results of our observations can best be explained if a standard thin accretion disk fuels a corona that is closely related to, or consistent with, the base of a compact jet. In a brief examination of archival data, we show that Cygnus X-1 supports this picture of the low/hard state. We discuss our results within the context of disk-jet connections and prevailing models for accretion onto black holes.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Black holes (Astronomy)
Journal or Publication Title: The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 0004-637X
Official Date: 2006
Volume: Vol.653
Number: No.1
Page Range: pp. 525-535
Identification Number: 10.1086/508644
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder: United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, European Space Agency (ESA), Australia
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URI: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/48755

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