BAT Detects a New Outburst of 4U 1608-522
ATel #851; C. B. Markwardt (NASA/GSFC and U. Md.), H. A. Krimm (NASA/GSFC and USRA), D. Sanwal (NASA/GSFC), J. Tueller (NASA/GSFC)
on 6 Jul 2006; 21:21 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Craig B. Markwardt (craigm@lheamail.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Subjects: X-ray, Gamma Ray, Request for Observations, Binary, Neutron Star, Transient
The Swift BAT instrument detects a new outburst of the transient
4U 1608-522, based on images taken in survey mode. The source had
been quiescent since December 2005.
Starting on June 29, 2006, the source began to rise linearly from
quiescence, and had reached a flux of about 130 mCrab (15-50 keV) by
July 6. The RXTE All-Sky Monitor detects a much more moderate
increase of ~50 mCrab (2-12 keV). This more rapid increase in the
hard X-rays is similar in behavior to the outburst which began in
2005.
