2025ApJ...994..223A -
Astrophys. J., 994, 223 (2025/December-1)
Probing the Origin of X-Ray Flares in the Low-hard State of GRS 1915+105 Using AstroSat and NuSTAR.
AKHTER S., BOKED S., MAQBOOL B., MISRA R. and JITHESH V.
Abstract (from CDS):
We performed a detailed time-resolved spectral study of GRS 1915+105 during its low-flux rebrightening phase using the broadband capabilities of AstroSat and NuSTAR in 2019 May-June. The AstroSat light curves revealed erratic X-ray flares with count rates rising by a factor of ∼5. Flares with simultaneous LAXPC and SXT coverage were segmented and fitted using two degenerate but physically motivated spectral models: a reflection-dominated model (hereafter model A) and an absorption-dominated model (hereafter model B). In model A, the inner disk radius (Rin) shows a broken power-law dependence on flux, indicating rapid inward motion of the disk at higher flux levels. In contrast, model B shows variable column density in the range of 1023-1024 cm–2, displaying a strong anticorrelation with flux. Both models exhibit significant variation in the ionization parameter between low- and high-flux segments. The total unabsorbed luminosity in the 0.7-30 keV energy range ranged from 6.64 × 1036 to 6.33 × 1038 erg s–1. Across both models, several spectral parameters exhibited step-function-like behavior around flux thresholds of 5-10 × 10–9 erg cm–2 s–1, indicating multiple spectral regimes. The disk flux contribution, more evident in model B, increased with total flux, supporting an intrinsic origin for the variability. These findings point to a complex interplay between intrinsic disk emission, structured winds, and variable local absorption in driving the flare activity.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
Journal keyword(s):
Accretion - X-ray binary stars - Stellar accretion disks
Status at CDS
:
Large table(s) will be appraised for possible ingestion in VizieR.
Simbad objects:
6
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