MAXI J1535−571 is a Galactic black hole candidate X-ray binary that was discovered going into outburst in 2017 September. In this paper, we present comprehensive radio monitoring of this system using ...the Australia Telescope Compact Array, as well as the MeerKAT radio observatory, showing the evolution of the radio jet during its outburst. Our radio observations show the early rise and subsequent quenching of the compact jet as the outburst brightened and then evolved toward the soft state. We constrain the compact jet quenching factor to be more than 3.5 orders of magnitude. We also detected and tracked (for 303 days) a discrete, relativistically moving jet knot that was launched from the system. From the motion of the apparently superluminal knot, we constrain the jet inclination (at the time of ejection) and speed to ≤45° and ≥0.69 c, respectively. Extrapolating its motion back in time, our results suggest that the jet knot was ejected close in time to the transition from the hard intermediate state to soft intermediate state. The launching event also occurred contemporaneously with a short increase in X-ray count rate, a rapid drop in the strength of the X-ray variability, and a change in the type-C quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency that occurs >2.5 days before the first appearance of a possible type-B QPO.
Abstract
We present long-term (2012–2022) optical monitoring of the candidate black hole X-ray binary Swift J1910.2–0546 with the Faulkes Telescopes and Las Cumbres Observatory network. Following its ...initial bright 2012 outburst, we find that the source displayed a series of at least seven quasi-periodic, high-amplitude (~3 mag) optical reflares in 2013, with a recurrence time increasing from ∼42 to ∼49 days. In 2014, the source experienced a mini outburst with two peaks in the optical. We also study the recent 2022 outburst of the source at optical wavelengths, and perform a comparative analysis with the earlier rebrightenings. A single X-ray detection and only two radio detections were obtained during the 2013 reflaring period, and only optical detections were acquired in 2014. During the reflaring in both 2013 and 2014, the source showed bluer-when-brighter behavior, having optical colors consistent with blackbody heating and cooling between 4500 and 9500 K, i.e., the temperature range in which hydrogen starts to ionize. Finally, we compare the flaring behavior of the source to rebrightening events in other X-ray binaries. We show that the repeated reflarings of Swift J1910.2–0546 are highly unusual, and propose that they arise from a sequence of repetitive heating and cooling front reflections traveling through the accretion disk.
ABSTRACT
We present results from six epochs of quasi-simultaneous radio, (sub-)millimetre, infrared, optical, and X-ray observations of the black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1535−571. These observations ...show that as the source transitioned through the hard–intermediate X-ray state towards the soft–intermediate X-ray state, the jet underwent dramatic and rapid changes. We observed the frequency of the jet spectral break, which corresponds to the most compact region in the jet where particle acceleration begins (higher frequencies indicate closer to the black hole), evolves from the infrared band into the radio band (decreasing by ≈3 orders of magnitude) in less than a day. During one observational epoch, we found evidence of the jet spectral break evolving in frequency through the radio band. Estimating the magnetic field and size of the particle acceleration region shows that the rapid fading of the high-energy jet emission was not consistent with radiative cooling; instead, the particle acceleration region seems to be moving away from the black hole on approximately dynamical time-scales. This result suggests that the compact jet quenching is not caused by local changes to the particle acceleration, rather we are observing the acceleration region of the jet travelling away from the black hole with the jet flow. Spectral analysis of the X-ray emission shows a gradual softening in the few days before the dramatic jet changes, followed by a more rapid softening ∼1–2 d after the onset of the jet quenching.
ABSTRACT
We present the results regarding the analysis of the fast X-ray/infrared (IR) variability of the black hole transient MAXI J1535−571. The data studied in this work consist of two strictly ...simultaneous observations performed with XMM–Newton (X-rays: 0.7–10 keV), VLT/HAWK-I (Ks band, 2.2 μm) and VLT/VISIR (M and PAH2_2 bands, 4.85 and 11.88 μm, respectively). The cross-correlation function between the X-ray and near-IR light curves shows a strong asymmetric anticorrelation dip at positive lags. We detect a near-IR QPO (2.5σ) at 2.07 ± 0.09 Hz simultaneously with an X-ray QPO at approximately the same frequency (f0 = 2.25 ± 0.05). From the cross-spectral analysis, a lag consistent with zero was measured between the two oscillations. We also measure a significant correlation between the average near-IR and mid-IR fluxes during the second night, but find no correlation on short time-scales. We discuss these results in terms of the two main scenarios for fast IR variability (hot inflow and jet powered by internal shocks). In both cases, our preliminary modelling suggests the presence of a misalignment between the disc and jet.
ABSTRACT
X-ray transients, such as accreting neutron stars, periodically undergo outbursts, thought to be caused by a thermal-viscous instability in the accretion disc. Usually outbursts of accreting ...neutron stars are identified when the accretion disc has undergone an instability, and the persistent X-ray flux has risen to a threshold detectable by all sky monitors on X-ray space observatories. Here, we present the earliest known combined optical, UV, and X-ray monitoring observations of the outburst onset of an accreting neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) system. We observed a significant, continuing increase in the optical i′-band magnitude starting on July 25, 12 d before the first X-ray detection with Swift/XRT and NICER (August 6), during the onset of the 2019 outburst of SAX J1808.4−3658. We also observed a 4 d optical to X-ray rise delay, and a 2 d UV to X-ray delay, at the onset of the outburst. We present the multiwavelength observations that were obtained, discussing the theory of outbursts in X-ray transients, including the disc instability model, and the implications of the delay. This work is an important confirmation of the delay in optical to X-ray emission during the onset of outbursts in LMXBs, which has only previously been measured with less sensitive all sky monitors. We find observational evidence that the outburst is triggered by ionization of hydrogen in the disc.
The binary millisecond radio pulsar PSR J1023+0038 has been recently the subject of multiwavelength monitoring campaigns which revealed that an accretion disc has formed around the neutron star ...(since 2013 June). We present here the results of X-ray and UV observations carried out by the Swift satellite between 2013 October and 2014 May, and of optical and NIR observations performed with the REM telescope, the Liverpool Telescope, the 2.1-m telescope at the San Pedro Mártir Observatory and the 1.52-m telescope at the Loiano observing station. The X-ray spectrum is well described by an absorbed power law, which is softer than the previous quiescent epoch (up to 2013 June). The strong correlation between the X-ray and the UV emissions indicates that the same mechanism should be responsible for part of the emission in these bands. Optical and infrared photometric observations show that the companion star is strongly irradiated. Double-peaked emission lines in the optical spectra provide compelling evidence for the presence of an outer accretion disc too. The spectral energy distribution from IR to X-rays is well modelled if the contributions from the companion, the disc and the intrabinary shock emission are all considered. Our extensive data set can be interpreted in terms of an engulfed radio pulsar: the radio pulsar is still active, but undetectable in the radio band due to a large amount of ionized material surrounding the compact object. X-rays and gamma-rays are produced in an intrabinary shock front between the relativistic pulsar wind and matter from the companion and an outer accretion disc. The intense spin-down power irradiates the disc and the companion star, accounting for the UV and optical emissions.
ABSTRACT
We report on the first simultaneous high-time resolution X-ray and infrared (IR) observations of a neutron star low mass X-ray binary in its hard state. We performed $\approx 2\,$ h of ...simultaneous observations of 4U 1728−34 using HAWK-I@VLT, XMM–Newton, and NuSTAR. The source displayed significant X-ray and IR variability down to sub-second time-scales. By measuring the cross-correlation function between the IR and X-ray lightcurves, we discovered a significant correlation with an IR lead of $\approx 30 \!-\! 40\,$ ms with respect to the X-rays. We analysed the X-ray energy dependence of the lag, finding a marginal increase towards higher energies. Given the sign of the lag, we interpret this as possible evidence of Comptonization from external seed photons. We discuss the origin of the IR seed photons in terms of cyclo-synchrotron radiation from an extended hot flow. Finally, we also observed the IR counterpart of a type-I X-ray burst, with a delay of $\approx 7.2\,$ s. Although some additional effects may be at play, by assuming that this lag is due to light travel time between the central object and the companion star, we find that 4U 1728−34 must have an orbital period longer than $3\,$ h and an inclination higher than 8○.
Abstract
We present a detailed study of the evolution of the Galactic black hole transient GRS 1716−249 during its 2016–2017 outburst at optical (Las Cumbres Observatory), mid-infrared (Very Large ...Telescope), near-infrared (Rapid Eye Mount telescope), and ultraviolet (the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope) wavelengths, along with archival radio and X-ray data. We show that the optical/near-infrared and UV emission of the source mainly originates from a multi-temperature accretion disk, while the mid-infrared and radio emission are dominated by synchrotron emission from a compact jet. The optical/UV flux density is correlated with the X-ray emission when the source is in the hard state, consistent with an X-ray irradiated accretion disk with an additional contribution from the viscous disk during the outburst fade. We find evidence for a weak, but highly variable jet component at mid-infrared wavelengths. We also report the long-term optical light curve of the source and find that the quiescent
i
′
-band magnitude is 21.39 ± 0.15 mag. Furthermore, we discuss how previous estimates of the system parameters of the source are based on various incorrect assumptions, and so are likely to be inaccurate. By comparing our GRS 1716−249 data set to those of other outbursting black hole X-ray binaries, we find that while GRS 1716−249 shows similar X-ray behavior, it is noticeably optically fainter, if the literature distance of 2.4 kpc is adopted. Using several lines of reasoning, we argue that the source distance is further than previously assumed in the literature, likely within 4–17 kpc, with a most likely range of ∼4–8 kpc.
Abstract
We report on a long-term optical monitoring of the neutron star X-ray binary Centaurus X-4 performed during the last 13.5 yr. This source has been in quiescence since its outburst in 1979. ...Our monitoring reveals the overall evolution of the accretion disk; we detect short-duration flares, likely originating also in the disk, superimposed with a small-amplitude (<0.1 mag) ellipsoidal modulation from the companion star due to geometrical effects. A long-term (∼2300 days) downward trend, followed by a shorter (∼1000 days) upward one, is observed in the disk light curve. Such a rise in the optical has been observed for other X-ray binaries preceding outbursts, as predicted by the disk instability model. For Cen X-4, the rise of the optical flux proceeded for ∼3 yr, and culminated in a flux increase at all wavelengths (optical–UV–X-rays) at the end of 2020. This increase faded after ∼2 weeks, without giving rise to a full outburst. We suggest that the propagation of an inside-out heating front was ignited due to a partial ionization of hydrogen in the inner disk. The propagation might have stalled soon after the ignition due to the increasing surface density in the disk that the front encountered while propagating outward. The stall was likely eased by the low-level irradiation of the outer regions of the large accretion disk, as shown by the slope of the optical/X-ray correlation, suggesting that irradiation does not play a strong role in the optical, compared to other sources of emission.
Context. Blazars are astrophysical sources whose emission is dominated by non-thermal processes, i.e. synchrotron and inverse Compton emission. Although the general picture is rather robust and ...consistent with observations, many aspects are still unexplored. Aims. Polarimetric monitoring can offer a wealth of information about the physical processes in blazars. Models with largely different physical ingredients can provide almost indistinguishable predictions for the total flux, but usually are characterized by different polarization properties. We explore the possibility to derive structural information about the emitting regions of blazars by means of a joint analysis of rapid variability of the total and polarized flux at optical wavelengths. Methods. Short timescale (from tens of seconds to a couple of minutes) optical linear polarimetry and photometry for two blazars, BL Lacertae and PKS 1424+240, was carried out with the PAOLO polarimeter at the 3.6 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. Several hours of almost continuous observations were obtained for both sources. Results. Our intense monitoring allowed us to draw different scenarios for BL Lacertae and PKS 1424+240, with the former characterized by intense variability and the latter practically constant in total flux. Essentially the same behavior is observed for the polarized flux and the position angle. The variability time-scales turned out to be as short as a few minutes, although involving only a few percent variation of the flux. The polarization variability time-scale is generally consistent with the total flux variability. Total and polarized flux appear to be essentially uncorrelated. However, even during our relatively short monitoring, different regimes can be singled out. Conclusions. No simple scenario is able to satisfactorily model the very rich phenomenology exhibited in our data. Detailed numerical simulations show that the emitting region should be characterized by some symmetry, and the inclusion of turbulence for the magnetic field may constitute the missing ingredient for a more complete interpretation of the data.
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