Optical Studies of γ-Ray Binaries

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Recently, the launch of the Fermi Gamma-Ray Observatory has led to the discovery of many new γ-ray sources, including γ-ray binaries. These systems are high mass X-ray binaries which exhibit an unusual feature of very high energy MeV-TeV emission. Six high mass X-ray binaries have been observed which fulfill these criteria: LS 5039, LS I +61 303, PSR B1259--63, Cyg X-1, Cyg X-3, and HESS J0632+057. LS 5039, LS I +61 303, and Cyg X-3 have all been detected by Fermi and are included in the Fermi LAT one-year Point Source Catalog. Analysis of the high energy emission for these sources relies partly on optical studies which reveal details about the orbital parameters, the mass donor star, and the stellar wind. Here, I will present results from optical spectra of LS 5039 and HD 259440, the proposed optical counterpart of HESS J0632+057. I have used spectra of the H alpha line obtained with the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope to examine the stellar wind of LS 5039. The possible binarity of HD 259440 has not been confirmed although X-ray and gamma-ray properties of the system are consistent with other known gamma-ray binaries. Using optical spectra of this system, I have determined the physical properties of the massive star and placed constraints on the orbital parameters.
I am grateful for support from NASA DPR Nos. NNX08AV70G, NNX09AT67G, NNG08E1671, and an institutional grant from Lehigh University.

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