Galactic Black Hole Binaries: High-Energy Radiation
Abstract
Observations of galactic black hole candidates made by the instruments aboard the Compton GRO in the hard X-ray and gamma-ray bands have significantly enhanced our knowledge of the emission properties of these objects. Understanding these observations presents a formidable challenge to theoretical models of the accretion flow onto the compact object and of the physical mechanisms that generate high-energy radiation. Here we summarize the current state of observations and theoretical interpretation of the emission from black hole candidates above 20 keV. The all-sky monitoring capability of BATSE allows, for the first time, nearly continuous studies of the high-energy emission from more than a dozen black hole candidates. These long-term datasets are particularly well-suited to multi- wavelength comparison studies, from the radio upward in frequency (Zhang et al. 1997a, these proceedings). Energy spectral evolution and/or spectral state transitions have been observed from many of the black hole candidates. Moderately deep searches of the galactic plane suggest a deficit of weak gamma-ray transients. Such population studies have implications for the origin of black hole binaries and the nature of accretion events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA461931
Entities
People
- B. A. Harmon
- D. Kazanas
- J. E. Grindlay
- J. Eric Grove
- M. McConnell
- X. -m. Hua
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory