1. Solving the mystery of the X-ray periodicity in the Seyfert galaxy NGC6814
- Author
-
Madejski, Greg M., Done, Chris, Turner, T. Jane, Mushotzky, Richard F., Serlemitsos, Peter, Fiore, Fabrizio, Sikora, Marek, and Begelman, Mitchell C.
- Subjects
Seyfert galaxies -- Research ,X-ray astronomy -- Research ,X-ray telescope -- Usage ,White dwarfs -- Research ,Stars -- Observations ,Galaxies -- Observations ,Astrophysics -- Research ,Astronomical research -- Analysis ,Environmental issues ,Science and technology ,Zoology and wildlife conservation - Abstract
The emission of X-rays from Seyfert galaxies is not attributed to a nearby object, and X-rays are not emitted by the nucleus of the galaxy. The Seyfert galaxy NGC6814 is considered to be the most peculiar of its type since it emits X-ray pulses. Several theories had been proposed to explain the emission of X-ray pulses by the galaxy. Observations from the Rosat X-ray telescope reveal that a companion body of NGC6814 which is 37 arcmin away emits X-rays regularly. The companion body rotates around NGC6814 and the regular eclipsing causes the pulsing effect of the X-rays.
- Published
- 1993