Observations of Circinus X-1 with RXTE

Abstract

Data accumulated with RXTE during the active state of Cir X-1 as well as during an unusually long transition from the active state to the quiescent state are reported. The long decline from the active state allowed the source characteristics to be studied systematically as a function of intensity. The following results are presented: (1) spectral fits during entry into a dip clearly show absorption with partial covering as previously reported (Brandt et al. 1996), and (2) correlations between position in the hardness-intensity plane and the character of the power density spectrum as the source entered the quiescent state are suggestive of Z source behavior seen in LMXB sources.