We report on the detection of long-term X-ray periodicity from the Be/X-ray binary pulsar X Persei. Based on over 23 years of X-ray data observed using RXTE/ASM, Swift/BAT and MAXI/GSC, we confirmed that X Persei exhibits quasi-periodic X-ray flares with a period of ∼7 years. The recurrence timescale corresponds to approximately 10 times its binary orbital period of 250 days. Spectral and hardness ratio changes were not detected along with long-term periodic activity. If we interpret the observed 7 year periodicity of X-ray band flux as a superorbital modulation, then this would be the first observation among the Be/X-ray binaries.

We report a polarization measurement in prompt γ-ray emission of GRB 100826A with the Gamma-Ray Burst Polarimeter (GAP) aboard the small solar power sail demonstrator IKAROS. We detected a firm change of polarization angle (PA) during the prompt emission with 99.9% (3.5 σ) confidence level, and an average polarization degree (Π) of 27 ± 11% with 99.4% (2.9 σ) confidence level. Here the quoted errors are given at 1 σ confidence level for two parameters of interest. Non-axisymmetric (e.g., patchy) structures of the magnetic fields and/or brightness inside the relativistic jet are therefore required within the observable angular scale of ~ Γ−1. Our observation strongly indicates that the polarization measurement is a powerful tool to constrain the GRB production mechanism, and more theoretical works are needed to discuss the data in more details.