A dataset provided by the European Space Agency

Proposal ID 0320020
Obs ID 03200200001, 03200200002, 03200200003, 03200200004, 03200200005, 03200200011, 03200200012
Title Deciphering the inscrutable microquasar GRS 1915+105
Download Data Associated to the proposal https://isla.esac.esa.int/tap/download/bundle?format=ascii_curl&product_id=prop_id:0320020
DOI https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-fo9mvue
Author Rodriguez
Abstract Given the already high scientific return of our INTEGRAL observations of GRS 1915+105, we propose to continue the monitoring of one of the most enigmatic microquasars (and its surroundings, with special emphasis on the poorly kown X-ray source IGR J19140+0951) during AO 3. Most of the past observations were done during the plateau state of GRS 1915+105. Our main goal is to obtain time-resolved hard X-ray spectra of all the fundamental spectral states of GRS 1915+105 in order to understand the origin of its high variability, and probe the hierarchical evolution between classes with long uninterrupted X-/Gamma -ray observations.The simultaneous use of JEM-X (and RXTE/PCA) in the softer X-rays, IBIS and SPI in the hard X-/Gamma-rays will enable us to test different models: Comptonization by thermal, nonthermal or free-fall electrons, and/or synchrotron emission from the compact jet, and test their possible relation with a given class of variability. In addition, we are in position to provide simultaneous radio and infrared observations which will allow us to study the accretion-ejection links further. JEM-X will allow us to discriminate between spectral states in the course of each observation and study, with the long exposure time, the very low frequency QPOs (<10 mHz). As for the past campaign, the INTEGRAL observations will be conducted simultaneously with RXTE in order to explore the rapid variability (0.1-100 Hz) at both low and high energies. We will use all our observations to test the presence of (or put tight constraints on) any annihilation features with SPI. To achieve our goals and especially obtain spectra up to very high energy we need long exposure times. We request that our observations be undertaken in segments of 100 ksec exposures. To meet our scientific goals, we require ten such segments, each separated by 2-3 weeks, compatible with scheduling constraints.
Publications
Temporal Coverage 2005-09-13T09:14:48Z / 2006-04-27T08:03:16Z
Version 1.0
Mission Description The INTEGRAL (International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) mission, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) on October 17, 2002, was designed to study high-energy phenomena in the universe. INTEGRAL was operating until february 2025 and it was equipped with three high-energy instruments: the Imager on Board the INTEGRAL Satellite (IBIS), the Spectrometer on INTEGRAL (SPI), and the JEM-X (Joint European Monitor for X-rays). Its Optical Monitoring Camera (OMC) provided optical V-band magnitude measurements, complementing the high-energy observations.
Creator Contact https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/integral/helpdesk
Date Published 2025-03-25T09:54:32Z
Publisher And Registrant European Space Agency
Credit Guidelines European Space Agency, Rodriguez, 2025, 'Deciphering the inscrutable microquasar GRS 1915+105', 1.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-fo9mvue