Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2009-07-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
8 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and X-ray timing of the neutron star X-ray binary EXO 0748-676 after the source returned to quiescence in the fall of 2008. The X-ray light curve displays eclipses consistent in orbital period, orbital phase and duration with the predictions and measurements before the return to quiescence. Halpha and He I emission lines are present in the optical spectra and show the signature of the orbit of the binary companion, placing a lower limit on the radial velocity semi-amplitude of K2>405 km/s. Both the flux in the continuum and the emission lines show orbital modulations, indicating that we observe the hemisphere of the binary companion that is being irradiated by the neutron star. Effects due to this irradiation preclude a direct measurement of the radial velocity semi-amplitude of the binary companion; in fact no stellar absorption lines are seen in the spectrum. Nevertheless, our observations place a stringent lower limit on the neutron star mass of M1>1.27 Msun. For the canonical neutron star mass of M1=1.4 Msun, the mass ratio is constrained to 0.075
Bassa Cees G.
Jonker Peter G.
Steeghs Daniel
Torres Manuel A. P.
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