Variability and Spectra of Two Neutron Stars in 47 Tucanae

Abstract

We report spectral and variability analysis of two quiescent low mass x-ray binaries (previously identified with ROSAT HRI as X5 and X7) in the globular cluster 47 Tuc, from a Chandra ACIS-I observation. X5 demonstrates sharp eclipses with an 8.666+-0.008 hr period, as well as dips showing an increased N_H column. Their thermal spectra are well-modelled by unmagnetized hydrogen atmospheres of hot neutron stars, most likely heated by transient accretion, with little to no hard power law component.

4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in "Neutron Stars in Supernova Remnants" (ASP Conference Proceedings), eds P. O. Slane and B. M. Gaensler