NICER observation list: Target ID 557112

Abstract

Cir X-1 is the youngest known binary system in our Galaxy, hosting a neutron star. A NICER AO2 observation was carried out to cover the entire Cir X-1 orbit with 99 regular snapshots. Three iron emission/absorption lines were observed near the periastron (phase=0) at 6.4 keV, 6.7 keV and 7.0 keV. In particular, the highly ionized Fe lines at 6.7 keV and 7.0 keV switched from emission to absorption between the orbital phases 0.93 and 0.96. We hope to clarify these line production mechanisms by studying orbit-by-orbit variation/stability of the emission/absorption line strengths and the transition phase. We concentrate on the orbital phase-period when the emission lines switch to the absorption lines (0.85-1.05) and propose to monitor this phase-period over the AO4 duration.
Obsid RA DEC l b Start End Exposure Number of
Modules
Number of
Processing
Status of
Processing
Date of
Processing
Public
date
5571120101 230.174 -57.166 322.121 0.038 59852.3995 59852.9829 889.0 49 8 VALIDATED 59869.6 60046
5571120102 230.170 -57.167 322.118 0.038 59853.0350 59853.9491 1799.0 49 8 VALIDATED 59869.7 60047
5571120103 230.173 -57.165 322.121 0.039 59854.0031 59854.3356 16.0 49 5 VALIDATED 59863.8 60048