The evolution of outbursts in Cygnus X-3

Abstract

Quenching of the X-ray binary Cygnus X-3 at 2.25 GHz prior to outbursts during 1990–1993 is compared with published multi-frequency results. Flux density measurements obtained at 15 GHz with the Ryle Telescope during 1994–1995 are compared with flux densities at 2.25 GHz obtained with the NRL Green Bank Interferometer. Quenched quiescent emission prior to outbursts and partially quenched emission during small flaring episodes may be explained by disk instabilities during super-Eddington and near-Eddington accretion in X-ray binaries.