Open AccessGRS 1915+105: the brightest Galactic black hole
Author(s) -
Done Chris,
Wardziński Grzegorz,
Gierliński Marek
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07545.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , eddington luminosity , luminosity , black hole (networking) , accretion (finance) , astronomy , instability , spectral line , active galactic nucleus , galaxy , computer network , routing protocol , routing (electronic design automation) , computer science , mechanics , link state routing protocol
We compare the evolution of spectral shape with luminosity in GRS 1915+105 with that of ‘normal’ black holes. The pathological variability of GRS 1915+105, which probably indicates a disc instability, does not require that GRS 1915+105 belongs in a different class to all the other objects. At comparable fractions of Eddington luminosity its spectra and (more importantly) apparent disc stability are both similar to that seen in the ‘normal’ black holes. Its unique limit‐cycle variability only appears when it radiates at uniquely high (super‐Eddington) luminosities.