AXJ0049.4–7323 (SXP 756) is a Be/X-ray binary that shows an unusual and poorly understood optical variability that consists of periodic and bright optical outbursts, simultaneous with X-ray ...outbursts, characterised by a highly asymmetric profile. The periodicity of the outbursts is thought to correspond to the orbital period of the neutron star. To understand the peculiar behaviour shown by this source, we performed the first multi-wavelength monitoring campaign during the periastron passage of December 2017. The monitoring lasted for about 37 days and consisted of X-ray, near-ultraviolet, and optical data from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, the optical I band from the OGLE survey, and spectroscopic observations of the Hα line performed with the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian Telescope. These observations revealed AXJ0049.4–7323 during an anomalous outburst having remarkably different properties compared to the previous ones. In the I band, it showed a longer rise timescale (∼60 days instead of 1–5 days) and a longer decay timescale. At the peak of the outburst, it showed a sudden increase in luminosity in the I band, corresponding to the onset of the X-ray outburst. The monitoring of the Hα emission line showed a fast and highly variable profile composed of three peaks with variable reciprocal brightness. To our knowledge, this is the second observation of a variable three-peak Hα profile of a Be/X-ray binary, after A0535+26. We interpreted these results as a circumstellar disc warped by tidal interactions with the neutron star in a high eccentricity orbit during its periastron passage. The fast jump in optical luminosity at the peak of the outburst and the previous asymmetric outbursts might be caused by the reprocessing of the X-ray photons in the circumstellar disc or the tidal displacement of a large amount of material from the circumstellar disc or the outer layers of the donor star during the periastron passage of the neutron star, which led to an increase in size of the region emitting in the I band. Further multi-wavelength observations are necessary to discriminate among the different scenarios proposed to explain the puzzling optical and X-ray properties of AXJ0049.4–7323.
Abstract
We report on the analysis of the peculiar X-ray variability displayed by the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar IGR J00291+5934 in a 80 ks-long joint NuSTAR and XMM–Newton observation ...performed during the source outburst in 2015. The light curve of the source is characterized by a flaring-like behaviour, with typical rise and decay time-scales of ∼120 s. The flares are accompanied by a remarkable spectral variability, with the X-ray emission being generally softer at the peak of the flares. A strong quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) is detected at ∼8 mHz in the power spectrum of the source and clearly associated with the flaring-like behaviour. This feature has the strongest power at soft X-rays ( ≲ 3 keV). We carried out a dedicated hardness-ratio-resolved spectral analysis and a QPO phase-resolved spectral analysis, together with an in-depth study of the source-timing properties, to investigate the origin of this behaviour. We suggest that the unusual variability of IGR J00291+5934 observed by XMM–Newton and NuSTAR could be produced by a heartbeat-like mechanism, similar to that observed in black hole X-ray binaries. The possibility that this variability, and the associated QPO, are triggered by phases of quasi-stable nuclear burning, as sustained in the literature for a number of other neutron star binaries displaying a similar behaviour, cannot be solidly tested in the case of IGR J00291+5934 due to the paucity of type I X-ray bursts detected from this source.
The bursting pulsar, GRO J1744−28, went again in outburst after ∼18 yr of quiescence in 2014 mid-January. We studied the broad-band, persistent, X-ray spectrum using X-ray data from a XMM–Newton ...observation, performed almost at the peak of the outburst, and from a close INTEGRAL observation, performed 3 d later, thus covering the 1.3–70.0 keV band. The spectrum shows a complex continuum shape that cannot be modelled with standard high-mass X-ray pulsar models, nor by two-components models. We observe broad-band and peaked residuals from 4 to 15 keV, and we propose a self-consistent interpretation of these residuals, assuming they are produced by cyclotron absorption features and by a moderately smeared, highly ionized, reflection component. We identify the cyclotron fundamental at ∼4.7 keV, with hints for two possible harmonics at ∼10.4 and ∼15.8 keV. The position of the cyclotron fundamental allows an estimate for the pulsar magnetic field of (5.27 ± 0.06) × 1011 G, if the feature is produced at its surface. From the dynamical and relativistic smearing of the disc reflected component, we obtain a lower limit estimate for the truncated accretion disc inner radius (≳100 R
g) and for the inclination angle (18°–48°). We also detect the presence of a softer thermal component that we associate with the emission from an accretion disc truncated at a distance from the pulsar of 50–115 R
g. From these estimates, we derive the magnetospheric radius for disc accretion to be ∼0.2 times the classical Alfvén radius for radial accretion.
Context. IGR J19294+1816 was discovered by INTEGRAL in 2009 during a bright X-ray outburst and was classified as a possible Be X-ray binary or supergiant fast X-ray transient. Aims. On 2010 October ...28, the source displayed a second X-ray outburst and a two months-long monitoring with Swift was carried out to follow the evolution of the source X-ray flux during the event. Methods. We report on the INTEGRAL and Swift observations of the second X-ray outburst observed from IGR J19294+1816. Results. We detected pulsations in the X-ray emission from the source at ~12.5 s up to 50 keV. The source X-ray flux decreased smoothly during the two months of observation, displaying only marginal spectral changes. Owing to the relatively rapid decay of the source X-ray flux, no significant variations of the source spin period across the event could be measured. This prevented a firm confirmation of the previously suggested orbital period of the source at 117 d. This periodicity was also searched for in archival Swift /BAT data. We detected a marginally significant peak in the periodogram and determined the best period at 116.2 ± 0.6 days (estimated chance probability of a spurious detection 1%). Conclusions. The smooth decline of the source X-ray flux across the two months of observations after the onset of the second outburst, together with its relatively low value of the spin period and the absence of remarkable changes in the spectral parameters (i.e., the absorption column density), suggests that IGR J19294+1816 is most likely another member of the Be X-ray binaries discovered by INTEGRAL and not a supergiant fast X-ray transient.
Context. Transient low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) often show outbursts that typically last a few weeks and are characterized by a high X-ray luminosity (Lx ≈ 1036−1038 erg s-1), while most of the ...time they are found in X-ray quiescence (LX ≈ 1031−1033 erg s-1). The source EXO 1745−248 is one of them. Aims. The broad-band coverage and sensitivity of the instrument on board XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL offers the opportunity of characterizing the hard X-ray spectrum during the outburst of EXO 1745−248. Methods. We report on quasi-simultaneous XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL observations of the X-ray transient EXO 1745−248 located in the globular cluster Terzan 5, performed ten days after the beginning of the outburst (on 2015 March 16) of the source between March and June 2015. The source was caught in a hard state, emitting a 0.8−100 keV luminosity of ≃ 1037 erg s-1. Results. The spectral continuum was dominated by thermal Comptonization of seed photons with temperature kTin ≃ 1.3 keV, by a cloud with a moderate optical depth τ ≃ 2, and with an electron temperature of kTe ≃ 40 keV. A weaker soft thermal component at temperature kTth ≃ 0.6−0.7 keV and compatible with a fraction of the neutron star radius was also detected. A rich emission line spectrum was observed by the EPIC-pn on board XMM-Newton; features at energies compatible with K-α transitions of ionized sulfur, argon, calcium, and iron were detected, with a broadness compatible with either thermal Compton broadening or Doppler broadening in the inner parts of an accretion disk truncated at 20 ± 6 gravitational radii from the neutron star. Strikingly, at least one narrow emission line ascribed to neutral or mildly ionized iron is needed to model the prominent emission complex detected between 5.5 and 7.5 keV. The different ionization state and broadness suggest an origin in a region located farther from the neutron star than where the other emission lines are produced. Seven consecutive type I bursts were detected during the XMM-Newton observation, none of which showed hints of photospheric radius expansion. A thorough search for coherent pulsations from the EPIC-pn light curve did not result in any significant detection. Upper limits ranging from a few to 15% on the signal amplitude were set, depending on the unknown spin and orbital parameters of the system.
Context. IGR J18410-0535 is a supergiant fast X-ray transients. This subclass of supergiant X-ray binaries typically undergoes few-hour-long outbursts reaching luminosities of 1036–1037 erg s-1, the ...occurrence of which has been ascribed to the combined effect of the intense magnetic field and rotation of the compact object hosted in them and/or the presence of dense structures (“clumps”) in the wind of their supergiant companion. Aims. IGR J18410-0535 was observed for 45 ks by XMM-Newton as part of a program designed to study the quiescent emission of supergiant fast X-ray transients and clarify the origin of their peculiar X-ray variability. Methods. We carried out an in-depth spectral and timing analysis of these XMM-Newton data. Results. IGR J18410-0535 underwent a bright X-ray flare that started about 5 ks after the beginning of the observation and lasted for ~15 ks. Thanks to the capabilities of the instruments on-board XMM-Newton, the whole event could be followed in great detail. The results of our analysis provide strong convincing evidence that the flare was produced by the accretion of matter from a massive clump onto the compact object hosted in this system. Conclusions. By assuming that the clump is spherical and moves at the same velocity as the homogeneous stellar wind, we estimate a mass and radius of Mcl ≃ 1.4 × 1022 g and Rcl ≃ 8 × 1011 cm. These are in qualitative agreement with values expected from theoretical calculations. We found no evidence of pulsations at ~4.7 s after investigating coherent modulations in the range 3.5 ms–100 s. A reanalysis of the archival ASCA and Swift data of IGR J18410-0535, for which these pulsations were previously detected, revealed that they were likely to be due to a statistical fluctuation and an instrumental effect, respectively.
We report on the long-term monitoring campaign of the black hole candidate IGR J17091−3624 performed with INTEGRAL and Swift during the peculiar outburst started on 2011 January. We have studied the ...two-month spectral evolution of the source in detail. Unlike the previous outbursts, the initial transition from the hard to the soft state in 2011 was not followed by the standard spectral evolution expected for a transient black hole binary. IGR J17091−3624 showed pseudo-periodic flare-like events in the light curve, closely resembling those observed from GRS 1915+105. We find evidence that these phenomena are due to the same physical instability process ascribed to GRS 1915+105. Finally, we speculate that the faintness of IGR J17091−3624 could be not only due to the high distance of the source but also due to the high inclination angle of the system.
IGR J17361-4441 is a newly discovered INTEGRAL hard X-ray transient, located in the globular cluster NGC 6388. We report here the results of the X-ray and radio observations performed with Swift, ...INTEGRAL, RXTE, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) after the discovery of the source on 2011 August 11. In the X-ray domain, IGR J17361-4441 showed virtually constant flux and spectral parameters up to 18 days from the onset of the outburst. The broad-band (0.5–100 keV) spectrum of the source could be reasonably well described by using an absorbed power-law component with a high energy cut-off (NH ≃ 0.8 × 1022 cm-2, Γ ≃ 0.7–1.0, and Ecut ≃ 25 keV) and displayed some evidence of a soft component below ~2 keV. No coherent timing features were found in the RXTE data. The ATCA observation did not detect significant radio emission from IGR J17361-4441, and provided the most stringent upper limit (rms 14.1 μJy at 5.5 GHz) to date on the presence of any radio source close to the NGC 6388 center of gravity. The improved position of IGR J17361-4441 in outburst determined from a recent target of opportunity observation with Chandra, together with the X-ray flux and radio upper limits measured in the direction of the source, argue against its association with the putative intermediate-mass black hole residing in the globular cluster and with the general hypothesis that the INTEGRAL source is a black hole candidate. IGR J17361-4441 might be more likely a new X-ray binary hosting an accreting neutron star. The ATCA radio non-detection also permits us to derive an upper limit to the mass of the suspected intermediate massive black hole in NGC 6388 of ≲ 600 M⊙. This is a factor of 2.5 lower than the limit reported previously.
Nuclear astrophysics, and particularly nuclear emission line diagnostics from a variety of cosmic sites, has remained one of the least developed fields in experimental astronomy, despite its central ...role in addressing a number of outstanding questions in modern astrophysics. Radioactive isotopes are co-produced with stable isotopes in the fusion reactions of nucleosynthesis in supernova explosions and other violent events, such as neutron star mergers. The origin of the 511 keV positron annihilation line observed in the direction of the Galactic Center is a 50-year-long mystery. In fact, we still do not understand whether its diffuse large-scale emission is entirely due to a population of discrete sources, which are unresolved with current poor angular resolution instruments at these energies, or whether dark matter annihilation could contribute to it. From the results obtained in the pioneering decades of this experimentally-challenging window, it has become clear that some of the most pressing issues in high-energy astrophysics and astro-particle physics would greatly benefit from significant progress in the observational capabilities in the keV-to-MeV energy band. Current instrumentation is in fact not sensitive enough to detect radioactive and annihilation lines from a wide variety of phenomena in our and nearby galaxies, let alone study the spatial distribution of their emission. In this White Paper (WP), we discuss how unprecedented studies in this field will become possible with a new low-energy gamma-ray space experiment, called
ASTENA
(Advanced Surveyor of Transient Events and Nuclear Astrophysics), which combines new imaging, spectroscopic and polarization capabilities. In a separate WP (Guidorzi et al.
39
), we discuss how the same mission concept will enable new groundbreaking studies of the physics of Gamma–Ray Bursts and other high-energy transient phenomena over the next decades.
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