Chandra--ASCA--RXTE observations of the micro-quasar GRS 1915+105

Abstract

A Chandra AO1 30ks HETGS observation of the X-ray transient micro-quasar GRS 1915+105 reveals absorption edges and faint line emission over the HETG energy range. We find from a preliminary analysis evidence for prominent neutral K edges associated with iron, silicon, magnesium, and tentatively sulphur. The column densities assuming solar abundances are consistent with ~ few x $10^{22} cm^{-2}$ in excess of the Galactic value, and may point to surrounding cold material associated with GRS 1915+105. Neutral Fe K$α$ emission, and ionized absorption from Fe XXV and Fe XXVI are resolved. We limit our discussion to the Chandra results.