A connection between accretion states and the formation of ultra-relativistic outflows in a neutron star X-ray binary. (arXiv:1812.04867v1 [astro-ph.HE])
<a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Motta_S/0/1/0/all/0/1">S.E. Motta</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Fender_R/0/1/0/all/0/1">R.P. Fender</a>
The nearby accreting neutron star binary Sco X-1 is the closest example of
ongoing relativistic jet production at high Eddington ratios. Previous radio
studies have revealed that alongside mildly relativistic, radio-emitting
ejecta, there is at times a much faster transfer of energy from the region of
the accretion flow along the jet. The nature of this ultrarelativistic flow
remains unclear and while there is some evidence for a similar phenomenon in
other systems which might contain neutron stars, it has never been observed in
a confirmed black hole system. We have compared these previous radio
observations with a new analysis of simultaneous X-ray observations which were
performed with the RXTE mission. We find that the ejection of the
ultra-relativistic flow seems to be associated with the simultaneous appearance
of two particular types of quasi-periodic oscillations in the X-ray power
spectrum. In contrast, the mildly relativistic, radio-emitting outflows may be
associated with flat-topped broad band noise in the X-ray power spectrum. This
is the first time a link, albeit tentative, has been found between these
mysterious unseen flows and the accretion flow from which they are launched.
The nearby accreting neutron star binary Sco X-1 is the closest example of
ongoing relativistic jet production at high Eddington ratios. Previous radio
studies have revealed that alongside mildly relativistic, radio-emitting
ejecta, there is at times a much faster transfer of energy from the region of
the accretion flow along the jet. The nature of this ultrarelativistic flow
remains unclear and while there is some evidence for a similar phenomenon in
other systems which might contain neutron stars, it has never been observed in
a confirmed black hole system. We have compared these previous radio
observations with a new analysis of simultaneous X-ray observations which were
performed with the RXTE mission. We find that the ejection of the
ultra-relativistic flow seems to be associated with the simultaneous appearance
of two particular types of quasi-periodic oscillations in the X-ray power
spectrum. In contrast, the mildly relativistic, radio-emitting outflows may be
associated with flat-topped broad band noise in the X-ray power spectrum. This
is the first time a link, albeit tentative, has been found between these
mysterious unseen flows and the accretion flow from which they are launched.
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