Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems

Details Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems

May 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007sptz.prop40948g&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #40948

Physics

Scientific paper

We propose to use the IRAC camera array on Spitzer to obtain mid-infrared observations of five black hole low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Stellar black hole masses and their distributions are important inputs for binary evolution and supernova models. The current main limiting factor in determining accurate black hole masses is the uncertainty in the orbital inclination angle of the LMXB system due to an unknown amount of contaminating light in the near-IR (NIR). This light dilutes the ellipsoidal variations of the secondary star. It has been generally thought that the NIR ellipsoidal light curves of these systems were relatively uncontaminated; however, recent disk and jet models have thrust this thinking into question. The data obtained with IRAC will be combined with our previously obtained ground-based optical/NIR SEDs of each system to characterize and derive the amount of light contaminating the NIR ellipsoidal variations. Once this quantity is known, accurate orbital inclination angles and BH masses can be determined. With 900 seconds of observation time per target, this entire program requires a total of 3.1 hours of Spitzer time.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Determining Stellar Black Hole Masses: Assessing the Non-Stellar Infrared Component of Black Hole Systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1750542