JACPOT XRB 2009-2010 status

JACPOT XRB is a Target of Opportunity project, to be triggered by a detection of an outburst with an X-ray satellite (RXTE, SWIFT, INTEGRAL or MAXI), or, for the white dwarf system, on an AAVSO alert. On receipt of an alert, we will immediately begin monitoring with the VLA, and on detection of radio emission, the VLBA will begin its monitoring campaign. In 2009-2010, we monitored a white dwarf, a neutron star, and a black hole. In 2010-2011, we only monitored a black hole system, as our target neutron star proved too faint. In 2011-2012 we are currently allocated time to monitor a further black hole source.


White Dwarf Status:
Triggered Apr 2010 Flare of SS Cyg

  • 15-Apr-2010: Call for assistance from AAVSO observers.
  • 20-Apr-2010: AAVSO indicates SS Cyg has begun its outburst.
  • 21-Apr-2010: EVLA monitoring of source begins, detecting SS Cyg. Swift XRT also detected a bright X-ray source.
  • 22-Apr-2010: VLBA monitoring of SS Cyg begins. FanCam (IR) monitoring begins.
  • 24-Apr-2010: WSRT monitoring begins.
  • 25-Apr-2010: RXTE, PAIRITEL (IR), and Faulkes monitoring begin.
  • 10-May-2010: Source goes into quiescence.

Preliminary Radio & X-ray lightcures:
Radio/X-ray LightCurves
Radio/X-ray LightCurves
A variety of radio, X-ray, & X-ray measurements of source activity. We plot optical monitoring (unvalidated), provided by AAVSO volunteers, in the top panel. As VLBA data takes time to correlate and analyze, we currently display the times of any VLBA observations we have planned or have already been taken. Dedicated SWIFT X-ray Telescope monitoring count rates of soft X-rays (XRT; 1.5 - 10 keV) are presented in the second panel. Preliminary RXTE count rates normalized to the Crab Nebula count rates/1000 from the Proportional Counter Array (PCA; 2 - 20 keV) are presented in the third panel. The VLA measurements represent flux densities at different frequencies, and are supplemented by Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope observations. In the bottom three plots, the AAVSO Visual Band data is scaled (to match the value on Apr 22) for comparison.


Neutron Star Status:
Triggered on Nov 2009 Flare of Aquila X-1

  • 01-Nov-2009: RXTE PCA Scans indicate source may be in outburst.
  • 05-Nov-2009: VLA monitoring of source begins.
  • 08-Nov-2009: Swift XRT, Swift UVOT, and pointed RXTE PCA observations confirm renewed activity (Linares et al., ATel 2288).
    • 16-Nov-2009: Source detected with the VLA (Sivakoff et al., ATel 2302). VLBA observations triggered. 25-Mar-2010: Source goes into quiescence after a series of 3 outbursts.

    Preliminary Radio & X-ray lightcures:
    Radio/X-ray LightCurves
    Radio/X-ray LightCurves
    A variety of radio & X-ray measurements of source activity. We plot Swift/BAT transient monitor results (15 - 50 keV; provided by the     Swift/BAT team) in the top panel. As VLBA data takes time to correlate and analyze, we currently display the times of any VLBA observations we have planned are have already taken. RXTE provides three measurements from soft X-rays, count rates from the All-Sky Monitor (ASM; 1.5 - 12 keV; provided by the ASM/RXTE team), count rates from the Proportional Counter Array (PCA; 2 - 10 keV; provided by RXTE Galactic Bulge Scans and Ron Remillard), and the band-limited continuum power in the power density spectrum integrating over 0.1 to 10 Hz (PCA-PPDS; provided by Remillard). The VLA measurements represent flux densities at different frequencies. In the bottom four plots, the SWIFT/BAT data is scaled (to match the value on Nov 14) for comparison.


    Black Hole Status:
    Triggered on May 2009 Flare of H 1743-322

    • 22-May-2009: Swift/BAT detects renewed activity (Krimm et al., ATel 2058).
    • 26-May-2009: Swift/BAT reports peak brightness of ~185 mCrab (15-50 keV, ATel 2058).
      • 27-May-2009: JACPOT XRB triggered VLA observations successfully detect unresolved radio activity at 8.4 GHz of 2.24±0.05 mJy (Miller-Jones et al., ATel 2062). VLA/VLBA observations ongoing.
    • 16-Jun-2009: Radio flux density has dropped to around 0.3 mJy at 8.4 GHz, ending this phase of VLBA monitoring. VLA observations are ongoing as we await transition back to the hard state.
    • 07-Jul-2009: Based on RXTE PCA data, the source appears to have transitioned or to be transitioning to the hard state (Kalemci et al., ATel 2112). High rms amplitude in from timing analysis combined with a hardness above 0.6 indicate the source is in the high state. VLBA observations have been retriggered.
    • 06-Aug-2009: Based on all data, the source appears to have gone into quiescence. VLA/VLBA observations have been halted.

    Preliminary Radio & X-ray lightcures:
    Radio/X-ray LightCurves
    Radio/X-ray LightCurves
    A variety of radio & X-ray measurements of source activity. We plot Swift/BAT transient monitor results (15 - 50 keV; provided by the     Swift/BAT team) in the top panel. As VLBA data takes time to correlate and analyze, we currently display the times of any VLBA observations we took. RXTE provides three measurements from soft X-rays, count rates from the All-Sky Monitor (ASM; 1.5 - 12 keV; provided by the ASM/RXTE team), count rates from the Proportional Counter Array (PCA; 2 - 10 keV; provided by RXTE Galactic Bulge Scans and Ron Remillard), and the band-limited continuum power in the power density spectrum integrating over 0.1 to 10 Hz (PCA-PPDS; provided by Remillard). The VLA measurements represent flux densities at different frequencies. In the bottom four plots, the SWIFT/BAT data is scaled (to match the value on May 28) for comparison.


    Preliminary VLA lightcurves:


    Preliminary VLA spectra:
    VLA Specral Evolution