XTEJ0658-073 (=MX0656-072) is a Pulsar
ATel #199; Ed Morgan(MIT), Ron Remillard(MIT) and Jean Swank(GSFC) for the RXTE team
on 21 Oct 2003; 19:09 UT
Credential Certification: Edward Morgan (ehmorgan@mit.edu)
Subjects: X-ray, Neutron Star, Transient, Pulsar
Referred to by ATel #: 200, 202
Observations of XTEJ0658-073 with the RXTE PCA on 2003 October 19-20
indicate that the source is a pulsar with an spin period of 160.7 s.
The pulse fraction is 15% (rms) at 3-30 keV. The intensity continues
to rise, as the ASM measures 120 mCrab (2-12 keV) on October 21. The
PCA spectrum and the ASM hardness ratio (HR2) suggest a spectral shape
that is typical of accretion-powered pulsars. Descriptions of the 1975
outburst of MX0656-072 as that of a "soft X-ray transient" may have
been misleading (see Clark, 1975 IAUC # 2843 ). An improved source
position would be valuable, to confirm that the source lies within the
3' error circle provided by Ariel V during 1975.
