BAAS, v32, n3, HEAD, 2000, 417.

[28.05] Chandra Observations of Cygnus X-3 During Major Radio Flaring Activity

M.L. McCollough (USRA), R.F. Elsner (NASA), S. Dieters (UAH), F. Paerels, M. Sako, J. Cottam (Columbia Univ.), D.A. Liedahl (LLNL), N. Schulz, W. Cui (MIT), R.M. Hjellming, M.P. Rupen, F. Ghigo (NRAO), A. Mioduszewski (Univ. of Sydney), E.B. Waltman (NRL), G.G. Pooley (MRAO), R.P. Fender (Univ. Amsterdam), S. Trushkin (SAO RAS)

In late January 2000 Cygnus X-3 made a transition from a quiescent radio state (low X-ray state) to a radio flaring state (high X-ray state). During this flaring state there was an extended period (over 21 days) of quenched radio emission (low hard X-ray/high soft X-ray state) which was followed by two major radio flares (13.5 and 17 Jy). Throughout this activity an extensive multiwavelength campaign was undertaken. These included observations in the hard X-ray (CGRO/BATSE), X-ray (RXTE/ASM/PCA/HEXTE), radio (GBI, Ryle Telescope, VLA, RATAN-600), radio imaging (VLBA), and high resolution X-ray spectroscopy and imaging (Chandra).

The Chandra observations will be presented in the context of this multiwavelength campaign. Preliminary analysis of the Chandra observations show a very rich line spectrum. Compared to a previous Chandra observation made during the radio quiescent state the continuum appears to be harder and many of the higher ionization species appear to have increased in brightness. Ramifications for relativistic jet production in this system will be discussed.