Evidence of Class Transitions in GRS 1915+105 from IXAE Data

Abstract

GRS 1915+105 shows at least twelve distinct classes of light curves. By analysing the data obtained from Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment (IXAE) instrument aboard IRS-P3 satellite, we show that in at least two days, transitions between one class to another were observed. In these days the so-called $\kappa$ class went to $\rho$ class and $\chi$ class went to $\rho$ class. In the frequency-time plane such transitions exhibited change in quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency. We could detect that low-frequency QPOs can occur in anticipation of a class transition several hundred minutes before the actual transition