Light curve of the Rapid Burster


These eight orbits of SAS-3 observations of the Rapid Burster shows its extraordinary bursting behavior that is classified as type II, together with a single special burst that is in fact an ordinary type I burst (i.e. a thermonuclear event). Note how the smallest bursts are very close together, whereas a big one is always followed by a long gap. (Each panel covers 24 minutes.)

Diagram by Walter Lewin, MIT. Reproduced from Charles and Seward, Figure 8-17, Pg. 206.

Light curve of the Rapid Burster



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Last modified: Thursday, 26-Jun-2003 13:48:45 EDT