Links between optical and X-ray light in Cygnus X-2

Abstract

ABSTRACT We observed the low-mass X-ray binary Cyg X-2 for a total of 18 nights over two observing runs in July and September of 2006, using the Otto Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. Using discrete cross-correlations, we found peaks occurring at near-zero lags in the flaring branch of the colour–colour diagram, which could signify reprocessing, in addition to an anticorrelation within the normal branch. When comparing optical flux to the system’s placement on the Z track, two distinct behaviours were seen: (1) a state with no correlation, and (2) a multivalued (horizontal and normal branches)/correlated (flaring branch) state. The correlation was the result of direct steps and more gradual falls to and from the flaring branch, respectively. Finally, we modelled timed spectra with 64 s bins with an extended accretion disc corona model. We found that correlations occurred between the optical and the various fitted parameters, particularly the blackbody normalization (and blackbody radius by extension) in higher intensity regions. Despite this, the Z track location was found to be a far better predictor of physical parameters than the optical flux, with clean correlations seen in every branch of the Z track. Where optical correlations are found, the location on the Z track was a better predictor of optical flux than any individual physical parameter.