Discovery of Correlated Behavior between the Hard X‐Ray and the Radio Bands in Cygnus X‐3

Abstract

Using Compton Gamma Ray Observatory BATSE hard X-ray (HXR) data and GHz radio monitoring data from the Green Bank Interferometer, we have performed a long-term study (D1800 days) of the unusual X-ray binary Cyg X-3, resulting in the discovery of a remarkable relationship between these two wavelength bands. We Ðnd that during quiescent radio states, the radio Ñux is strongly anticorrelated with the intensity of the HXR emission. The relationship switches to a correlation with the onset of major radio Ñaring activity. During major radio Ñaring activity, the HXR drops to a very low intensity during quenching in the radio and recovers during the radio Ñare. Injection of plasma into the radio jets of Cyg X-3 occurs during changes in the HXR emission and suggests that disk-related and jet-related components are responsible for the high energy emission. Subject headings : radio continuum : stars È stars : individual (Cygnus X-3) È X-rays : stars