Centaurus X-3


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Centaurus X-3

An X-ray binary, the first of its type, discovered by the Uhuru satellite in 1971. The binary nature was determined from the observation of regular X-ray eclipses with a period of 2.09 days; in 1974 the optical companion star was identified as a 13th magnitude supergiant of spectral type O6.5, establishing Centaurus X-3 as a high-mass X-ray binary, or HMXB. Rapid pulsation of the X-ray source at a 4.8 second period is associated with the rotation of a magnetized neutron star. It may thus be regarded as an X-ray pulsar.
Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

Centaurus X-3

[sen′tȯr·əs ‚eks ′thrē]
(astrophysics)
A source of x-rays that pulses with a period of 4.8 seconds and is eclipsed every 2.1 days; believed to be a binary star, one of whose members is a rotating neutron star. Abbreviated Cen X-3.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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As a result of this development by a number of scientists to the set of results shown in table (1), which represents the previous studies of this system Centaurus X-3.
The present study focuses on the analysis of one such binary, Centaurus X-3, in a step to derive more reliable physical and geometrical elements.
Specifications of the system Centaurus X-3 (Krzemenski's star):
New physical and geometrical elements of the X-ray eclipsing binary system Centaurus X-3 (Krzemenski's star) were found.
New elements for three eclipsing X-Ray binary systems: HZ Herculis, Centaurus X-3 and VELA X-1.
Discovery of Periodic X-Ray Pulsations in Centaurus X-3 from HURU.
Orbital period changes in Centaurus X-3. Astrophysical J., 268: 790-799.
The identification and UBV photometry of the visible component of the Centaurus X-3 binary system.
Photoelectric observations of Krzeminski's star, the companion of Centaurus X-3. Astrophysical J., 195: 709-713.
The eclipsing X-ray binary system Centaurus X-3
Astronomers have now found several objects that do, including the Crab nebula, the Crab pulsar, the Vela pulsar, Hercules X-1, Cygnus X-3, 4U0115 63, Centaurus X-3, PSR1953 29 and LMC X-4.
On the threshold of Cherenkov astronomy; radiation of extremely high energy from several celestial objects is leading astronomers to extend their science's spectral range yet again

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