X-ray Spectroscopy of Candidate Ultracompact X-ray Binaries

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

8 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication to the Astrophysical Journal

Scientific paper

10.1086/430633

We present high-resolution spectroscopy of the neutron star/low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) 4U 1850-087 and 4U 0513-40 as part of our continuing study of known and candidate ultracompact binaries. The LMXB 4U 1850-087 is one of four systems in which we had previously inferred an unusual Ne/O ratio in the absorption along the line of sight, most likely from material local to the binaries. However, our recent Chandra X-ray Observatory LETGS spectrum of 4U 1850-087 finds a Ne/O ratio by number of 0.22+/-0.05, smaller than previously measured and consistent with the expected interstellar value. We propose that variations in the Ne/O ratio due to source variability, as previously observed in these sources, can explain the difference between the low- and high-resolution spectral results for 4U 1850-087. Our XMM-Newton RGS observation of 4U 0513-40 also shows no unusual abundance ratios in the absorption along the line of sight. We also present spectral results from a third candidate ultracompact binary, 4U 1822-000, whose spectrum is well fit by an absorbed power-law + blackbody model with absorption consistent with the expected interstellar value. Finally, we present the non-detection of a fourth candidate ultracompact binary, 4U 1905+000, with an upper limit on the source luminosity of < 1 x 10^{32} erg s^{-1}. Using archival data, we show that the source has entered an extended quiescent state.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

X-ray Spectroscopy of Candidate Ultracompact X-ray Binaries 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 X-ray Spectroscopy of Candidate Ultracompact X-ray Binaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and X-ray Spectroscopy of Candidate Ultracompact X-ray Binaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-593119

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.