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Occultation of X-rays from Scorpius X-1 by small trans-neptunian objects

Author

Listed:
  • Hsiang-Kuang Chang

    (National Tsing Hua University
    Institute of Astronomy, National Tsing Hua University)

  • Sun-Kun King

    (Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica)

  • Jau-Shian Liang

    (National Tsing Hua University)

  • Ping-Shien Wu

    (Institute of Astronomy, National Tsing Hua University)

  • Lupin Chun-Che Lin

    (National Tsing Hua University)

  • Jeng-Lun Chiu

    (National Tsing Hua University)

Abstract

Solar System minnows Scorpius X-1 (Sco X1) has an important place in the history of astronomy as, apart from the Sun, it was the first cosmic X-ray source ever detected. It now has a new claim to fame: small but significant dips in its X-ray light curves obtained by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite may represent the first ever observation of small (less than 100 metre diameter) trans-neptunian objects (TNOs). The irregularities occur at millisecond time scales and are almost certainly caused by occultation of tiny TNOs. Since the first discovery of a Kuiper belt object in 1992, nearly a thousand more TNOs have been found. The ones that have been seen are hundreds to several thousand kilometres in diameter but many smaller objects have been expected to exist.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsiang-Kuang Chang & Sun-Kun King & Jau-Shian Liang & Ping-Shien Wu & Lupin Chun-Che Lin & Jeng-Lun Chiu, 2006. "Occultation of X-rays from Scorpius X-1 by small trans-neptunian objects," Nature, Nature, vol. 442(7103), pages 660-663, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:442:y:2006:i:7103:d:10.1038_nature04941
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04941
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