Michael L. McCollough, Randall K. Smith, Lynne Valencic
Using the unique X-ray imaging capabilities of the Chandra observatory, a 2006 observation of Cygnus X-3 has provided insight into a singular feature associated with this well-known microquasar. This extended emission, located ~16 arcseconds from Cygnus X-3, varies in flux and orbital phase (shifted by 0.56 in phase) with Cygnus X-3, acting like a celestial X-ray "mirror". The feature's spectrum, flux and time variations allow us to determine the location, size, density, and mass of the scatterer. We find that the scatterer is a Bok globule located along our line of sight, and discuss its relationship to Cygnus X-3. This is the first time such a feature has been identified with the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
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http://arxiv.org/abs/1211.2252
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