@article{SidoliSgueraEspositoetal.2022, author = {Sidoli, Lara and Sguera, Vito and Esposito, Paolo and Oskinova, Lida and Polletta, Maria del Carmen}, title = {XMM-Newton discovery of very high obscuration in the candidate Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient AX J1714.1-3912}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {512}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stac691}, pages = {2929 -- 2935}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We have analysed an archival XMM-Newton EPIC observation that serendipitously covered the sky position of a variable X-ray source AX J1714.1-3912, previously suggested to be a Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient (SFXT). During the XMM-Newton observation the source is variable on a timescale of hundred seconds and shows two luminosity states, with a flaring activity followed by unflared emission, with a variability amplitude of a factor of about 50. We have discovered an intense iron emission line with a centroid energy of 6.4 keV in the power law-like spectrum, modified by a large absorption (N-H similar to 10(24) cm(-2)), never observed before from this source. This X-ray spectrum is unusual for an SFXT, but resembles the so-called 'highly obscured sources', high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) hosting an evolved B[e] supergiant companion (sgB[e]). This might suggest that AX J1714.1-3912 is a new member of this rare type of HMXBs, which includes IGR J16318-4848 and CI Camelopardalis. Increasing this small population of sources would be remarkable, as they represent an interesting short transition evolutionary stage in the evolution of massive binaries. Nevertheless, AX J1714.1-3912 appears to share X-ray properties of both kinds of HMXBs (SFXT versus sgB[e] HMXB). Therefore, further investigations of the companion star are needed to disentangle the two hypothesis.}, language = {en} } @article{BozzoFerrignoOskinovaetal.2021, author = {Bozzo, Enrico and Ferrigno, Carlo and Oskinova, Lida and Ducci, Lorenzo}, title = {Accretion of a clumped wind from a red supergiant donor on to a magnetar is suggested by the analysis of the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the X-ray binary 3A 1954+319}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {510}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stab3688}, pages = {4645 -- 4653}, year = {2021}, abstract = {3A 1954+319 has been classified for a long time as a symbiotic X-ray binary, hosting a slowly rotating neutron star and an aged M red giant. Recently, this classification has been revised thanks to the discovery that the donor star is an M supergiant. This makes 3A 1954+319 a rare type of high-mass X-ray binary consisting of a neutron star and a red supergiant donor. In this paper, we analyse two archival and still unpublished XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the source. We perform a detailed hardness ratio-resolved spectral analysis to search for spectral variability that could help investigating the structures of the inhomogeneous M supergiant wind from which the neutron star is accreting. We discuss our results in the context of wind-fed supergiant X-ray binaries and show that the newest findings on 3A 1954+319 reinforce the hypothesis that the neutron star in this system is endowed with a magnetar-like magnetic field strength (greater than or similar to 10(14) G).}, language = {en} } @article{BozzoRomanoFerrignoetal.2022, author = {Bozzo, Enrico and Romano, Patrizia and Ferrigno, Carlo and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {The symbiotic X-ray binaries Sct X-1, 4U 1700+24, and IGR J17329-2731}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {513}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stac907}, pages = {42 -- 54}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Symbiotic X-ray binaries are systems hosting a neutron star accreting form the wind of a late-type companion. These are rare objects and so far only a handful of them are known. One of the most puzzling aspects of the symbiotic X-ray binaries is the possibility that they contain strongly magnetized neutron stars. These are expected to be evolutionary much younger compared to their evolved companions and could thus be formed through the (yet poorly known) accretion induced collapse of a white dwarf. In this paper, we perform a broad-band X-ray and soft gamma-ray spectroscopy of two known symbiotic binaries, Sct X-1 and 4U 1700+24, looking for the presence of cyclotron scattering features that could confirm the presence of strongly magnetized NSs. We exploited available Chandra, Swift, and NuSTAR data. We find no evidence of cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSFs) in the case of Sct X-1 but in the case of 4U 1700+24 we suggest the presence of a possible CRSF at similar to 16 keV and its first harmonic at similar to 31 keV, although we could not exclude alternative spectral models for the broad-band fit. If confirmed by future observations, 4U 1700+24 could be the second symbiotic X-ray binary with a highly magnetized accretor. We also report about our long-term monitoring of the last discovered symbiotic X-ray binary IGR J17329-2731 performed with Swift/XRT. The monitoring revealed that, as predicted, in 2017 this object became a persistent and variable source, showing X-ray flares lasting for a few days and intriguing obscuration events that are interpreted in the context of clumpy wind accretion.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinezChicharroTorrejonOskinovaetal.2018, author = {Martinez-Chicharro, M. and Torrejon, J. M. and Oskinova, Lida and Furst, F. and Postnov, K. and Rodes-Roca, J. J. and Hainich, Rainer and Bodaghee, A.}, title = {Evidence of Compton cooling during an X-ray flare supports a neutron star nature of the compact object in 4U1700-37}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {473}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnrasl/slx165}, pages = {L74 -- L78}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Based on new Chandra X-ray telescope data, we present empirical evidence of plasma Compton cooling during a flare in the non-pulsating massive X-ray binary 4U1700-37. This behaviour might be explained by quasi-spherical accretion on to a slowly rotating magnetized neutron star (NS). In quiescence, the NS in 4U1700-37 is surrounded by a hot radiatively cooling shell. Its presence is supported by the detection of mHz quasi-periodic oscillations likely produced by its convection cells. The high plasma temperature and the relatively low X-ray luminosity observed during the quiescence, point to a small emitting area similar to 1 km, compatible with a hotspot on an NS surface. The sudden transition from a radiative to a significantly more efficient Compton cooling regime triggers an episode of enhanced accretion resulting in a flare. During the flare, the plasma temperature drops quickly. The predicted luminosity for such transitions, similar to 3 x 10(35) erg s(-1), is very close to the luminosity of 4U1700-37 during quiescence. The transition may be caused by the accretion of a clump in the stellar wind of the donor star. Thus, a magnetized NS nature of the compact object is strongly favoured.}, language = {en} } @article{SanderFuerstKretschmaretal.2018, author = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and F{\"u}rst, F. and Kretschmar, P. and Oskinova, Lida and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hainich, Rainer and Shenar, Tomer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {610}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731575}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Aims. To gain a realistic picture of the donor star in Vela X-1, we constructed a hydrodynamically consistent atmosphere model describing the wind stratification while properly reproducing the observed donor spectrum. To investigate how X-ray illumination affects the stellar wind, we calculated additional models for different X-ray luminosity regimes. Methods. We used the recently updated version of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet code to consistently solve the hydrodynamic equation together with the statistical equations and the radiative transfer. Results. The wind flow in Vela X-1 is driven by ions from various elements, with Fe III and S III leading in the outer wind. The model-predicted mass-loss rate is in line with earlier empirical studies. The mass-loss rate is almost unaffected by the presence of the accreting NS in the wind. The terminal wind velocity is confirmed at u(infinity) approximate to 600 km s(-1). On the other hand, the wind velocity in the inner region where the NS is located is only approximate to 100 km s(-1), which is not expected on the basis of a standard beta-velocity law. In models with an enhanced level of X-rays, the velocity field in the outer wind can be altered. If the X-ray flux is too high, the acceleration breaks down because the ionization increases. Conclusions. Accounting for radiation hydrodynamics, our Vela X-1 donor atmosphere model reveals a low wind speed at the NS location, and it provides quantitative information on wind driving in this important HMXB.}, language = {en} } @article{GonzalezGalanOskinovaPopovetal.2018, author = {Gonz{\´a}lez-Gal{\´a}n, Ana and Oskinova, Lida and Popov, Sergei B. and Haberl, F. and K{\"u}hnel, M. and Gallagher, John S. and Schurch, Matthew and Guerrero, Mart{\´i}n A.}, title = {A multiwavelength study of SXP 1062, the long-period X-ray pulsar associated with a supernova remnant}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {475}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stx3127}, pages = {2809 -- 2821}, year = {2018}, abstract = {SXP 1062 is a Be X-ray binary (BeXB) located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. It hosts a long-period X-ray pulsar and is likely associated with the supernova remnant MCSNR J0127-7332. In this work we present a multiwavelength view on SXP 1062 in different luminosity regimes. We consider monitoring campaigns in optical (OGLE survey) and X-ray (Swift telescope). During these campaigns a tight coincidence of X-ray and optical outbursts is observed. We interpret this as typical Type I outbursts as often detected in BeXBs at periastron passage of the neutron star (NS). To study different X-ray luminosity regimes in depth, during the source quiescence we observed it with XMM-Newton while Chandra observations followed an X-ray outburst. Nearly simultaneously with Chandra observations in X-rays, in optical the RSS/SALT telescope obtained spectra of SXP 1062. On the basis of our multiwavelength campaign we propose a simple scenario where the disc of the Be star is observed face-on, while the orbit of the NS is inclined with respect to the disc. According to the model of quasi-spherical settling accretion our estimation of the magnetic field of the pulsar in SXP 1062 does not require an extremely strong magnetic field at the present time.}, language = {en} } @article{AhnenAnsoldiAntonellietal.2018, author = {Ahnen, M. L. and Ansoldi, S. and Antonelli, L. A. and Arcaro, C. and Babie, A. and Banerjee, B. and Bangale, P. and de Almeida, U. Barres and Barrio, J. A. and Gonzalez, J. Becerra and Bednarek, W. and Bernardini, E. and Berti, A. and Biasuzzi, B. and Biland, A. and Blanch, O. and Bonnefoy, S. and Bonnoli, G. and Borracci, F. and Carosi, R. and Carosi, A. and Chatterjee, A. and Colin, P. and Colombo, E. and Contreras, J. L. and Cortina, J. and Covino, S. and Cumani, P. and Da Vela, P. and Dazzi, F. and De Angelis, A. and De Lotto, B. and Wilhelmi, E. de Ona and Di Pierro, F. and Doert, M. and Dominguez, A. and Prester, D. Dominis and Dorner, D. and Doro, M. and Einecke, S. and Glawion, D. Eisenacher and Elsaesser, D. and Engelkemeier, M. and Ramazani, V. Fallah and Fernandez-Barra, A. and Fidalgo, D. and Fonseca, M. V. and Font, L. and Fruck, C. and Galindo, D. and Lopez, R. J. Garcia and Garczarczyk, M. and Gaug, M. and Giammaria, P. and Godinovie, N. and Gora, D. and Griffiths, S. and Guberman, D. and Hadasch, D. and Hahn, A. and Hassan, T. and Hayashida, M. and Herrera, J. and Hose, J. and Hrupec, D. and Hughes, G. and Ishio, K. and Konno, Y. and Kubo, H. and Kushida, J. and Kuvezdie, D. and Lelas, D. and Lindfors, E. and Lombardi, S. and Longo, F. and Lopez, M. and Lopez-Oramas, A. and Majumdar, P. and Makariev, M. and Maneva, G. and Manganaro, M. and Mannheim, K. and Maraschi, L. and Mariotti, M. and Martinez, M. and Mazin, D. and Menzel, U. and Minev, M. and Mirzoyan, R. and Moralejo, A. and Moreno, V. and Moretti, E. and Munar-Adrover, P. and Neustroev, V. and Niedzwiecki, A. and Rosillo, M. Nievas and Nilsson, K. and Nishijima, K. and Noda, K. and Nogues, L. and Paiano, S. and Palacio, J. and Paneque, D. and Paoletti, R. and Paredes, J. M. and Paredes-Fortuny, X. and Pedaletti, G. and Peresano, M. and Perri, L. and Persic, M. and Moroni, P. G. Prada and Prandini, E. and Puljak, I. and Garcia, J. R. and Reichardt, I. and Rhode, W. and Riti, M. and Rico, J. and Saito, T. and Satalecka, K. and Schroeder, S. and Schweizer, T. and Shore, S. N. and Sillanpaa, A. and Sitarek, J. and Sobczynskall, D. and Stamerra, A. and Strzys, M. and Surie, T. and Takalo, L. and Tavecchio, F. and Temnikov, P. and Terzie, T. and Tescaro, D. and Teshima, M. and Torres, D. F. and Torres-Alla, N. and Treves, A. and Vanzo, G. and Acosta, M. Vazquez and Vovk, I. and Ward, J. E. and Will, M. and Wu, M. H. and Zarie, D. and Abdalla, Hassan E. and Abramowski, A. and Aharonian, Felix A. and Benkhali, F. Ait and Akhperjanian, A. G. and Andersson, T. and Ang{\"u}ner, Ekrem Oǧuzhan and Arakawa, M. and Arrieta, M. and Aubert, P. and Backes, M. and Balzer, A. and Barnard, M. and Becherini, Y. and Tjus, J. Becker and Berge, D. and Bernhard, S. and Bernlohr, K. and Blackwell, R. and Bottcher, M. and Boisson, C. and Bolmont, J. and Bordas, Pol and Bregeon, J. and Brun, F. and Brun, P. and Bryan, M. and Btichele, M. and Bulik, T. and Capasso, M. and Carr, J. and Casanova, Sabrina and Cerruti, M. and Chakraborty, N. and Chalme-Calvet, R. and Chaves, R. C. G. and Chen, A. and Chevalier, J. and Chretien, M. and Coffaro, M. and Colafrancesco, S. and Cologna, G. and Condon, B. and Conrad, J. and Cui, Y. and Davids, I. D. and Decock, J. and Degrange, B. and Dei, C. and Devin, J. and Dewilt, P. and Dirson, L. and Djannati-Atai, A. and Domainko, W. and Donath, A. and Dutson, K. and Dyks, J. and Edwards, T. and Egberts, Kathrin and Eger, P. and Ernenwein, J. -P. and Eschbach, S. and Farnier, C. and Fegan, S. and Fernandes, M. V. and Fiasson, A. and Fontaine, G. and Forster, A. and Funk, S. and Ftifiling, M. and Gabici, S. and Gajdus, M. and Gallant, Y. A. and Garrigoux, T. and Giavitto, G. and Giebels, B. and Glicenstein, J. F. and Gottschal, D. and Goya, A. and Grondin, M. -H. and Hahn, J. and Haupt, M. and Hawkes, J. and Heinzelmann, G. and Henri, G. and Hermann, G. and Hervet, O. and Hinton, J. A. and Hofmann, W. and Hoischen, Clemens and Holler, M. and Horns, D. and Ivascenko, A. and Iwasaki, H. and Jacholkowska, A. and Jamrozy, M. and Janiak, M. and Jankowsky, D. and Jankowsky, F. and Jingo, M. and Jogler, T. and Jouvin, L. and Jung-Richardt, I. and Kastendieck, M. A. and Katarzyfiski, K. and Katsuragawa, M. and Katz, U. and Kerszberg, D. and Khangulyan, D. and Khelifi, B. and Kieffer, M. and King, J. and Klepser, S. and Klochkov, D. and Kluiniak, W. and Kolitzus, D. and Komin, Nu. and Kosack, K. and Krakau, S. and Kraus, M. and Krtiger, P. P. and Laffon, H. and Lamanna, G. and Lau, J. and Lees, J. -P. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lefranc, V. and Lemiere, A. and Lemoine-Goumard, M. and Lenain, J. -P. and Leser, Eva and Lohse, T. and Lorentz, M. and Liu, R. and Lopez-Coto, R. and Lypova, I. and Marandon, V. and Marcowith, Alexandre and Mariaud, C. and Marx, R. and Maurin, G. and Maxted, N. and Mayer, M. and Meintjes, P. J. and Meyer, M. and Mitche, A. M. W. and Moderski, R. and Mohamed, M. and Mohrmann, L. and Mora, K. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Murach, T. and Nakashima, S. and De Naurois, M. and Niederwanger, F. and Niemiec, J. and Oakes, L. and Odaka, H. and Ott, S. and Ohm, S. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I. and Padovani, M. and Panter, M. and Parsons, R. D. and Pekeur, N. W. and Pelletier, G. and Perennes, C. and Petrucci, P. -O. and Peyaud, B. and Pie, Q. and Pita, S. and Poon, H. and Prokhorov, D. and Prokoph, H. and Ptffilhofer, G. and Punch, M. and Quirrenbach, A. and Raab, S. and Reimer, A. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and De Los Reyes, R. and Richter, S. and Rieger, F. and Romoli, C. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Rulten, C. B. and Safi-Harb, S. and Sahakian, V. and Saito, S. and Salek, D. and Sanchez, D. A. and Santangelo, A. and Sasaki, M. and Schlickeiser, R. and Schtissler, F. and Schulz, A. and Schwanke, U. and Schwemmer, S. and Seglar-Arroyo, M. and Settimo, M. and Seyffert, A. S. and Shafi, N. and Shilon, I. and Simoni, R. and So, H. and Spanier, F. and Spengler, G. and Spies, F. and Stawarz, L. and Steenkamp, R. and Stegmann, Christian and Stycz, K. and Sushch, I. and Takahashi, T. and Tavernet, J. -P. and Tavernier, T. and Taylor, A. M. and Terrier, R. and Tibaldo, L. and Tiziani, D. and Tluczykont, M. and Trichard, C. and Tsuji, N. and Tuffs, R. and Uchiyama, Y. and Van der Walt, D. J. and Van Eldik, C. and Van Rensburg, C. and Van Soelen, B. and Vasileiadis, G. and Veh, J. and Venter, C. and Viana, A. and Vincent, P. and Vink, J. and Voisin, F. and Vok, H. J. and Vuillaume, T. and Wadiasingh, Z. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, P. and Wagner, R. M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Willmann, P. and Wornlein, A. and Wouters, D. and Yang, R. and Zabalza, V. and Zaborov, D. and Zacharias, M. and Zanin, R. and Zdziarski, A. A. and Zech, Alraune and Zefi, F. and Ziegler, A. and Zywuckan, N.}, title = {Constraints on particle acceleration in SS433/W50 from MAGIC and HESS observations}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {612}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {HESS Collaboratio MAGIC Collaboration}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731169}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Context. The large jet kinetic power and non-thermal processes occurring in the microquasar SS 433 make this source a good candidate for a very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emitter. Gamma-ray fluxes above the sensitivity limits of current Cherenkov telescopes have been predicted for both the central X-ray binary system and the interaction regions of SS 433 jets with the surrounding W50 nebula. Non-thermal emission at lower energies has been previously reported, indicating that efficient particle acceleration is taking place in the system. Aims. We explore the capability of SS 433 to emit VHE gamma rays during periods in which the expected flux attenuation due to periodic eclipses (P-orb similar to 13.1 days) and precession of the circumstellar disk (P-pre similar to 162 days) periodically covering the central binary system is expected to be at its minimum. The eastern and western SS 433/W50 interaction regions are also examined using the whole data set available. We aim to constrain some theoretical models previously developed for this system with our observations. Methods. We made use of dedicated observations from the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov telescopes (MAGIC) and High Energy Spectroscopic System (H.E.S.S.) of SS 433 taken from 2006 to 2011. These observation were combined for the first time and accounted for a total effective observation time of 16.5 h, which were scheduled considering the expected phases of minimum absorption of the putative VHE emission. Gamma-ray attenuation does not affect the jet/medium interaction regions. In this case, the analysis of a larger data set amounting to similar to 40-80 h, depending on the region, was employed. Results. No evidence of VHE gamma-ray emission either from the central binary system or from the eastern/western interaction regions was found. Upper limits were computed for the combined data set. Differential fluxes from the central system are found to be less than or similar to 10(-12)-10(-13) TeV-1 cm(-2) s(-1) in an energy interval ranging from similar to few x 100 GeV to similar to few TeV. Integral flux limits down to similar to 10(-12)-10(-13) ph cm(-2) s(-1) and similar to 10(-13)-10(-14) ph cm(-2) s(-1) are obtained at 300 and 800 GeV, respectively. Our results are used to place constraints on the particle acceleration fraction at the inner jet regions and on the physics of the jet/medium interactions. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the fraction of the jet kinetic power that is transferred to relativistic protons must be relatively small in SS 433, q(p) <= 2.5 x 10(-5), to explain the lack of TeV and neutrino emission from the central system. At the SS 433/W50 interface, the presence of magnetic fields greater than or similar to 10 mu G is derived assuming a synchrotron origin for the observed X-ray emission. This also implies the presence of high-energy electrons with E-e up to 50 TeV, preventing an efficient production of gamma-ray fluxes in these interaction regions.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdallaAbramowskiAharonianetal.2018, author = {Abdalla, Hassan E. and Abramowski, A. and Aharonian, Felix A. and Benkhali, F. Ait and Akhperjanian, A. G. and Anguenee, E. O. and Arrieta, M. and Aubert, P. and Backes, M. and Balzer, A. and Barnard, M. and Becherini, Y. and Tjus, J. Becker and Berge, D. and Bernhard, S. and Bernloehr, K. and Birsin, E. and Blackwell, R. and Boettcher, M. and Boisson, C. and Bolmont, J. and Bordas, Pol and Bregeon, J. and Brun, F. and Brun, P. and Bryan, M. and Bulik, T. and Capasso, M. and Carr, J. and Casanova, Sabrina and Chadwick, P. M. and Chakraborty, N. and Chalme-Calvet, R. and Chaves, R. C. G. and Chen, A. and Chevalier, J. and Chretien, M. and Colafrancesco, S. and Cologna, G. and Condon, B. and Conrad, J. and Couturier, C. and Cui, Y. and Davids, I. D. and Degrange, B. and Deil, C. and deWilt, P. and Dickinson, H. J. and Djannati-Atai, A. and Domainko, W. and Donath, A. and Dubus, G. and Dutson, K. and Dyks, J. and Dyrda, M. and Edwards, T. and Egberts, Kathrin and Eger, P. and Ernenwein, J. -P. and Eschbach, S. and Farnier, C. and Fegan, S. and Fernandes, M. V. and Fiasson, A. and Fontaine, G. and Foerster, A. and Funk, S. and Fuessling, M. and Gabici, S. and Gajdus, M. and Gallant, Y. A. and Garrigoux, T. and Giavitto, G. and Giebels, B. and Glicenstein, J. F. and Gottschall, D. and Goya, A. and Grondin, M. -H. and Grudzinska, M. and Hadasch, D. and Hahn, J. and Hawkes, J. and Heinzelmann, G. and Henri, G. and Hermann, G. and Hervet, O. and Hillert, A. and Hinton, J. A. and Hofmann, W. and Hoischen, Clemens and Holler, M. and Horns, D. and Ivascenko, A. and Jacholkowska, A. and Jamrozy, M. and Janiak, M. and Jankowsky, D. and Jankowsky, F. and Jingo, M. and Jogler, T. and Jouvin, L. and Jung-Richardt, I. and Kastendieck, M. A. and Katarzynski, K. and Katz, U. and Kerszberg, D. and Khelifi, B. and Kieffer, M. and King, J. and Klepser, S. and Klochkov, D. and Kluzniak, W. and Kolitzus, D. and Komin, Nu. and Kosack, K. and Krakau, S. and Kraus, M. and Krayzel, F. and Krueger, P. P. and Laffon, H. and Lamanna, G. and Lau, J. and Lees, J. -P. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lefranc, V. and Lemiere, A. and Lemoine-Goumard, M. and Lenain, J. -P. and Leser, Eva and Lohse, T. and Lorentz, M. and Liu, R. and Lypova, I. and Marandon, V. and Marcowith, Alexandre and Mariaud, C. and Marx, R. and Maurin, G. and Maxted, N. and Mayer, M. and Meintjes, P. J. and Menzler, U. and Meyer, M. and Mitchell, A. M. W. and Moderski, R. and Mohamed, M. and Mora, K. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Murach, T. and de Naurois, M. and Niederwanger, F. and Niemiec, J. and Oakes, L. and Odaka, H. and Oettl, S. and Ohm, S. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I. and Padovani, M. and Panter, M. and Parsons, R. D. and Arribas, M. Paz and Pekeur, N. W. and Pelletier, G. and Petrucci, P. -O. and Peyaud, B. and Pita, S. and Poona, H. and Prokhorov, D. and Prokoph, H. and Puehlhofer, G. and Punch, M. and Quirrenbach, A. and Raab, S. and Reimer, A. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and de los Reyes, R. and Rieger, F. and Romoli, C. and Rosier-Lees, S. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Rulten, C. B. and Sahakian, V. and Salek, D. and Sanchez, D. A. and Santangelo, A. and Sasaki, M. and Schlickeiser, R. and Schuessler, F. and Schulz, A. and Schwanke, U. and Schwemmer, S. and Seyffert, A. S. and Shafi, N. and Shilon, I. and Simoni, R. and Sol, H. and Spanier, F. and Spengler, G. and Spies, F. and Stawarz, L. and Steenkamp, R. and Stegmann, Christian and Stinzing, F. and Stycz, K. and Sushch, I. and Tavernet, J. -P. and Tavernier, T. and Taylor, A. M. and Terrier, R. and Tluczykont, M. and Trichard, C. and Tuffs, R. and van der Walt, J. and van Eldik, C. and van Soelen, B. and Vasileiadis, G. and Veh, J. and Venters, C. and Viana, A. and Vincent, P. and Vink, J. and Voisin, F. and Voelk, H. J. and Vuillaume, T. and Wadiasingh, Z. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, P. and Wagner, R. M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Willmann, P. and Woernlein, A. and Wouters, D. and Yang, R. and Zabalza, V. and Zaborov, D. and Zacharias, M. and Zdziarski, A. A. and Zech, Alraune and Zefi, F. and Ziegler, A. and Zywucka, N.}, title = {A search for very high-energy flares from the microquasars GRS 1915+105, Circinus X-1, and V4641 Sgr using contemporaneous HESS and RXTE observations}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {612}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {H E S S Collaboration}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201527773}, pages = {22}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Context. Microquasars are potential gamma-ray emitters. Indications of transient episodes of gamma-ray emission were recently reported in at least two systems: Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3. The identification of additional gamma-ray-emitting microquasars is required to better understand how gamma-ray emission can be produced in these systems. Aims. Theoretical models have predicted very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from microquasars during periods of transient outburst. Observations reported herein were undertaken with the objective of observing a broadband flaring event in the gamma-ray and X-ray bands. Methods. Contemporaneous observations of three microquasars, GRS 1915+105, Circinus X-1, and V4641 Sgr, were obtained using the High Energy Spectroscopic System (H.E.S.S.) telescope array and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellite. X-ray analyses for each microquasar were performed and VHE gamma-ray upper limits from contemporaneous H.E.S.S. observations were derived. Results. No significant gamma-ray signal has been detected in any of the three systems. The integral gamma-ray photon flux at the observational epochs is constrained to be I(>560 GeV) < 7.3 x 10(-13) cm(-2) S-1, I(>560 GeV) < 1.2 x 10-(12) cm s(-1), and I(>240 GeV) < 4.5 x 10(-12) cm(-2) s(-1) for GRS 1915+105, Circinus X-1, and V4641 Sgr, respectively. Conclusions. The gamma-ray upper limits obtained using H.E.S.S. are examined in the context of previous Cherenkov telescope observations of microquasars. The effect of intrinsic absorption is modelled for each target and found to have negligible impact on the flux of escaping gamma-rays. When combined with the X-ray behaviour observed using RXTE, the derived results indicate that if detectable VHE gamma-ray emission from microquasars is commonplace, then it is likely to be highly transient.}, language = {en} } @article{OskinovaBulikGomezMoran2018, author = {Oskinova, Lida and Bulik, Tomasz and Gomez-Moran, Ada Nebot}, title = {Infrared outbursts as potential tracers of common-envelope events in high-mass X-ray binary formation}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {613}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201832925}, pages = {7}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Context. Classic massive binary evolutionary scenarios predict that a transitional common-envelope (CE) phase could be preceded as well as succeeded by the evolutionary stage when a binary consists of a compact object and a massive star, that is, a high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB). The observational manifestations of common envelope are poorly constrained. We speculate that its ejection might be observed in some cases as a transient event at mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths. Aims. We estimate the expected numbers of CE ejection events and HMXBs per star formation unit rate, and compare these theoretical estimates with observations. Methods. We compiled a list of 85 mid-IR transients of uncertain nature detected by the Spitzer Infrared Intensive Transients Survey and searched for their associations with X-ray, optical, and UV sources. Results. Confirming our theoretical estimates, we find that only one potential HMXB may be plausibly associated with an IR-transient and tentatively propose that X-ray source NGC4490-X40 could be a precursor to the SPIRITS 16az event. Among other interesting sources, we suggest that the supernova remnant candidate [BWL2012] 063 might be associated with SPIRITS 16ajc. We also find that two SPIRITS events are likely associated with novae, and seven have potential optical counterparts. Conclusions. The massive binary evolutionary scenarios that involve CE events do not contradict currently available observations of IR transients and HMXBs in star-forming galaxies.}, language = {en} } @article{TorrejonReigFuerstetal.2018, author = {Torrejon, J. M. and Reig, Pablo and F{\"u}rst, F. and Martinez-Chicharro, M. and Postnov, K. and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {NuSTAR rules out a cyclotron line in the accreting magnetar candidate 4U2206+54}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {479}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/sty1628}, pages = {3366 -- 3372}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Based on our new NuSTAR X-ray telescope data, we rule out any cyclotron line up to 60 keV in the spectra of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U2206+54. In particular, we do not find any evidence of the previously claimed line around 30 keV, independently of the source flux, along the spin pulse. The spin period has increased significantly, since the last observation, up to 5750 +/- 10 s, confirming the rapid spin-down rate (nu)over dot = -1.8 x 10(-14) Hz s(-1). This behaviour might be explained by the presence of a strongly magnetized neutron star (B-s > several times 10(13) G) accreting from the slow wind of its main-sequence O9.5 companion.}, language = {en} } @article{AbeysekaraBenbowBirdetal.2018, author = {Abeysekara, A. U. and Benbow, Wystan and Bird, Ralph and Brill, A. and Brose, Robert and Buckley, J. H. and Chromey, A. J. and Daniel, M. K. and Falcone, A. and Finley, J. P. and Fortson, L. and Furniss, Amy and Gent, A. and Gillanders, Gerald H. and Hanna, David and Hassan, T. and Hervet, O. and Holder, J. and Hughes, G. and Humensky, T. B. and Kaaret, Philip and Kar, P. and Kertzman, M. and Kieda, David and Krause, Maria and Krennrich, F. and Kumar, S. and Lang, M. J. and Lin, T. T. Y. and Maier, Gernot and Moriarty, P. and Mukherjee, Reshmi and Ong, R. A. and Otte, Adam Nepomuk and Park, Nahee and Petrashyk, A. and Pohl, Martin and Pueschel, Elisa and Quinn, J. and Ragan, K. and Richards, Gregory T. and Roache, E. and Sadeh, I. and Santander, Marcos and Schlenstedt, S. and Sembroski, G. H. and Sushch, Iurii and Tyler, J. and Vassiliev, V. V. and Wakely, S. P. and Weinstein, A. and Wells, R. M. and Wilcox, P. and Wilhelm, Alina and Williams, David A. and Williamson, T. J. and Zitzer, B. and Acciari, V. A. and Ansoldi, S. and Antonelli, L. A. and Engels, A. Arbet and Baack, D. and Babic, A. and Banerjee, B. and de Almeida, U. Barres and Barrio, J. A. and Becerra Gonzalez, Josefa and Bednarek, Wlodek and Bernardini, Elisa and Berti, A. and Besenrieder, J. and Bhattacharyya, W. and Bigongiari, C. and Biland, A. and Blanch, O. and Bonnoli, G. and Busetto, G. and Carosi, R. and Ceribella, G. and Cikota, S. and Colak, S. M. and Colin, P. and Colombo, E. and Contreras, J. L. and Cortina, J. and Covino, S. and Da Vela, P. and Dazzi, F. and De Angelis, A. and De Lotto, B. and Delfino, M. and Delgado, J. and Di Pierro, F. and Do Souto Espinera, E. and Dominguez, A. and Prester, D. Dominis and Dorner, D. and Doro, M. and Einecke, S. and Elsaesser, D. and Ramazani, V. Fallah and Fattorini, A. and Fernandez-Barral, A. and Ferrara, G. and Fidalgo, D. and Foffano, L. and Fonseca, M. V. and Font, L. and Fruck, C. and Galindo, D. and Gallozzi, S. and Lopez, R. J. Garcia and Garczarczyk, M. and Gasparyan, S. and Gaug, Markus and Giammaria, P. and Godinovic, N. and Guberman, D. and Hadasch, D. and Hahn, A. and Herrera, J. and Hoang, J. and Hrupec, D. and Inoue, S. and Ishio, K. and Iwamura, Y. and Kubo, H. and Kushida, J. and Kuvezdic, D. and Lamastra, A. and Lelas, D. and Leone, Francesco and Lindfors, E. and Lombardi, S. and Longo, Francesco and Lopez, M. and Lopez-Oramas, A. and Machado de Oliveira Fraga, B. and Maggio, C. and Majumdar, P. and Makariev, M. and Mallamaci, M. and Maneva, G. and Manganaro, M. and Mannheim, K. and Maraschi, L. and Mariotti, M. and Martinez, M. and Masuda, S. and Mazin, D. and Minev, M. and Miranda, J. M. and Mirzoyan, R. and Molina, E. and Moralejo, A. and Moreno, V. and Moretti, E. and Munar-Adrover, Pere and Neustroev, V. and Niedzwiecki, Andrzej and Rosillo, Mireia Nievas and Nigro, C. and Nilsson, Kari and Ninci, D. and Nishijima, K. and Noda, K. and Nogues, L. and Noethe, M. and Paiano, Simona and Palacio, J. and Paneque, D. and Paoletti, R. and Paredes, J. M. and Pedaletti, G. and Penil, P. and Peresano, M. and Persic, M. and Moroni, P. G. Prada and Prandini, E. and Puljak, I. and Garcia, J. R. and Rhode, W. and Ribo, Marc and Rico, J. and Righi, C. and Rugliancich, A. and Saha, Lab and Sahakyan, Narek and Saito, T. and Satalecka, K. and Schweizer, T. and Sitarek, J. and Snidaric, I. and Sobczynska, D. and Somero, A. and Stamerra, A. and Strzys, M. and Suric, T. and Tavecchio, Fabrizio and Temnikov, P. and Terzic, T. and Teshima, M. and Torres-Alba, N. and Tsujimoto, S. and van Scherpenberg, J. and Vanzo, G. and Vazquez Acosta, M. and Vovk, I. and Will, M. and Zaric, D.}, title = {Periastron Observations of TeV Gamma-Ray Emission from a Binary System with a 50-year Period}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {867}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, organization = {VERITAS Collaboration MAGIC Collaboration}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/aae70e}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We report on observations of the pulsar/Be star binary system PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213 in the energy range between 100 GeV and 20 TeV with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array and Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov telescope arrays. The binary orbit has a period of approximately 50 years, with the most recent periastron occurring on 2017 November 13. Our observations span from 18 months prior to periastron to one month after. A new point-like gamma-ray source is detected, coincident with the location of PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213. The gamma-ray light curve and spectrum are well characterized over the periastron passage. The flux is variable over at least an order of magnitude, peaking at periastron, thus providing a firm association of the TeV source with the pulsar/Be star system. Observations prior to periastron show a cutoff in the spectrum at an energy around 0.5 TeV. This result adds a new member to the small population of known TeV binaries, and it identifies only the second source of this class in which the nature and properties of the compact object are firmly established. We compare the gamma-ray results with the light curve measured with the X-ray Telescope on board the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and with the predictions of recent theoretical models of the system. We conclude that significant revision of the models is required to explain the details of the emission that we have observed, and we discuss the relationship between the binary system and the overlapping steady extended source, TeV J2032+4130.}, language = {en} } @article{ElMellahSanderSundqvistetal.2019, author = {El Mellah, Ileyk and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Sundqvist, Jon Olof and Keppens, Rony}, title = {Formation of wind-captured disks in supergiant X-ray binaries Consequences for Vela X-1 and Cygnus X-1}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {622}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201834498}, pages = {12}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context. In supergiant X-ray binaries (SgXB), a compact object captures a fraction of the wind of an O/B supergiant on a close orbit. Proxies exist to evaluate the efficiency of mass and angular momentum accretion, but they depend so dramatically on the wind speed that given the current uncertainties, they only set loose constraints. Furthermore, these proxies often bypass the impact of orbital and shock effects on the flow structure. Aims. We study the wind dynamics and angular momentum gained as the flow is accreted. We identify the conditions for the formation of a disk-like structure around the accretor and the observational consequences for SgXB. Methods. We used recent results on the wind launching mechanism to compute 3D streamlines, accounting for the gravitational and X-ray ionizing influence of the compact companion on the wind. Once the flow enters the Roche lobe of the accretor, we solved the hydrodynamics equations with cooling. Results. A shocked region forms around the accretor as the flow is beamed. For wind speeds on the order of the orbital speed, the shock is highly asymmetric compared to the axisymmetric bow shock obtained for a purely planar homogeneous flow. With net radiative cooling, the flow always circularizes for sufficiently low wind speeds. Conclusions. Although the donor star does not fill its Roche lobe, the wind can be significantly beamed and bent by the orbital effects. The net angular momentum of the accreted flow is then sufficient to form a persistent disk-like structure. This mechanism could explain the proposed limited outer extension of the accretion disk in Cygnus X-1 and suggests the presence of a disk at the outer rim of the neutron star magnetosphere in Vela X-1 and has dramatic consequences on the spinning up of the accretor.}, language = {en} } @article{GvaramadzeKniazevOskinova2019, author = {Gvaramadze, V. V. and Kniazev, Alexei Y. and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {Discovery of a putative supernova remnant around the long-period X-ray pulsar SXP 1323 in the Small Magellanic Cloud}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {485}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnrasl/slz018}, pages = {L6 -- L10}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We report the discovery of a circular shell centred on the Be X-ray binary (BeXB) SXP 1323 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The shell was detected in an H α image obtained with the Very Large Telescope. Follow-up spectroscopy with the Southern African Large Telescope showed that the shell expands with a velocity of ≈100kms-1 and that its emission is due to shock excitation. We suggest that this shell is a remnant of the supernova explosion that led to the formation of SXP 1323's neutron star ≈40000 yr ago. SXP 1323 represents the second known case of a BeXB associated with a supernova remnant (the first one is SXP 1062). Interestingly, both of these BeXBs harbour long-period pulsars and are located in a low-metallicity galaxy.}, language = {en} } @article{OskinovaBikMasHesseetal.2019, author = {Oskinova, Lida and Bik, A. and Mas-Hesse, J. M. and Hayes, M. and Adamo, A. and {\"O}stlin, G{\"o}ran and F{\"u}rst, F. and Ot{\´i}-Floranes, H.}, title = {ULX contribution to stellar feedback}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {627}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201935414}, pages = {7}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context. X-ray radiation from accreting compact objects is an important part of stellar feedback. The metal-poor galaxy ESO 338-4 has experienced vigorous starburst during the last <40 Myr and contains some of the most massive super star clusters in the nearby Universe. Given its starburst age and its star-formation rate, ESO 338-4 is one of the most efficient nearby manufactures of neutron stars and black holes, hence providing an excellent laboratory for feedback studies. Aims. We aim to use X-ray observations with the largest modern X-ray telescopes XMM-Newton and Chandra to unveil the most luminous accreting neutron stars and black holes in ESO 338-4. Methods. We compared X-ray images and spectra with integral field spectroscopic observations in the optical to constrain the nature of strong X-ray emitters. Results. X-ray observations uncover three ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in ESO 338-4. The brightest among them, ESO 338 X-1, has X-ray luminosity in excess of 10(40) erg s(-1). We speculate that ESO 338-4 X-1 is powered by accretion on an intermediate-mass (greater than or similar to 300 M-circle dot)black hole. We show that X-ray radiation from ULXs and hot superbubbles strongly contributes to He II ionization and general stellar feedback in this template starburst galaxy.}, language = {en} } @article{BozzoOskinovaLobeletal.2017, author = {Bozzo, Enrico and Oskinova, Lida and Lobel, A. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The super-orbital modulation of supergiant high-mass X-ray binaries}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {606}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {LIGO Sci Collaboration \& Virgo;Fermi GBM;INTERGRAL;IceCube Collaboration;AstroSat Cadmium Zinc Telluride;IPN Collaboration;Insight-Hxmt Collaboration;ANTARES Collaboration;Swift Collaboration;AGILE Team;The 1M2H Team;Dark Energy Camera GW-EM;DLT40 Collaboration;GRAWITA GRAvitational Wave;Fermi Large Area Telescope;ATCA Australia Telescope;ASKAP Australian SKA Pathfinder;Las Cumbres Observatory Grp;OzGrav DWF Deeper Wider Faster;VINROUGE Collaboration;MASTER Collaboration;J-GEM;GROWTH JAGWAR CALTECH;Pan-STARRS;MAXI Team;TZAC Consortium;KU Collaboration;Nordic Optical Telescope;ePESSTO;GROUND;Texas Tech Univ;Salt Grp;Toros Transient Robotic Observat;BOOTES Collaboration;MWA Murchison Widefield Array;CALET Collaboration;IKI-GW Follow-up Collaboration;H E S S Collaboration;LOFAR Collaboration;LWA Long Wavelength Array;HAWC Collaboration;Pierre Auger Collaboration;ALMA Collaboration;Euro VLBI Team;Pi Sky Collaboration;Chandra Team McGill Univ;DFN Desert Fireball Network;ATLAS;High Time Resolution Universe;RIMAS RATIR;SKA South Africa MeerKAT}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731930}, pages = {4}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The long-term X-ray light curves of classical supergiant X-ray binaries and supergiant fast X-ray transients show relatively similar super-orbital modulations, which are still lacking a sound interpretation. We propose that these modulations are related to the presence of corotating interaction regions (CIRs) known to thread the winds of OB supergiants. To test this hypothesis, we couple the outcomes of three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic models for the formation of CIRs in stellar winds with a simplified recipe for the accretion onto a neutron star. The results show that the synthetic X-ray light curves are indeed modulated by the presence of the CIRs. The exact period and amplitude of these modulations depend on a number of parameters governing the hydrodynamic wind models and on the binary orbital configuration. To compare our model predictions with the observations, we apply the 3D wind structure previously shown to well explain the appearance of discrete absorption components in the UV time series of a prototypical B0.5I-type supergiant. Using the orbital parameters of IGRJ 16493-4348, which has the same B0.5I donor spectral type, the period and modulations in the simulated X-ray light curve are similar to the observed ones, thus providing support to our scenario. We propose that the presence of CIRs in donor star winds should be considered in future theoretical and simulation efforts of wind-fed X-ray binaries.}, language = {en} } @article{SanjurjoFerrrinTorrejonPostnovetal.2017, author = {Sanjurjo-Ferrrin, G. and Torrejon, J. M. and Postnov, K. and Oskinova, Lida and Rodes-Roca, J. J. and Bernabeu, Guillermo}, title = {XMM-Newton spectroscopy of the accreting magnetar candidate 4U0114+65}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {606}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201630119}, pages = {4039 -- 4042}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Methods. We analysed the energy-resolved light curve and the time-resolved X-ray spectra provided by the EPIC cameras on board XMM-Newton. We also analysed the first high-resolution spectrum of this source provided by the Reflection Grating Spectrometer. Results. An X-ray pulse of 9350 +/- 160 s was measured. Comparison with previous measurements confirms the secular spin up of this source. We successfully fit the pulse-phase-resolved spectra with Comptonisation models. These models imply a very small (r similar to 3 km) and hot (kT similar to 2-3 keV) emitting region and therefore point to a hot spot over the neutron star (NS) surface as the most reliable explanation for the X-ray pulse. The long NS spin period, the spin-up rate, and persistent X-ray emission can be explained within the theory of quasi-spherical settling accretion, which may indicate that the magnetic field is in the magnetar range. Thus, 4U0114+65 could be a wind-accreting magnetar. We also observed two episodes of low luminosity. The first was only observed in the low-energy light curve and can be explained as an absorption by a large over-dense structure in the wind of the B1 supergiant donor. The second episode, which was deeper and affected all energies, may be due to temporal cessation of accretion onto one magnetic pole caused by non-spherical matter capture from the structured stellar wind. The light curve displays two types of dips that are clearly seen during the high-flux intervals. The short dips, with durations of tens of seconds, are produced through absorption by wind clumps. The long dips, in turn, seem to be associated with the rarefied interclump medium. From the analysis of the X-ray spectra, we found evidence of emission lines in the X-ray photoionised wind of the B1Ia donor. The Fe K alpha line was found to be highly variable and much weaker than in other X-ray binaries with supergiant donors. The degree of wind clumping, measured through the covering fraction, was found to be much lower than in supergiant donor stars with earlier spectral types. Conclusions. The XMM-Newton spectroscopy provided further support for the magnetar nature of the neutron star in 4U0114+65. The light curve presents dips that can be associated with clumps and the interclump medium in the stellar wind of the mass donor.}, language = {en} } @article{BozzoBernardiniFerrignoetal.2017, author = {Bozzo, Enrico and Bernardini, F. and Ferrigno, Carlo and Falanga, M. and Romano, Patrizia and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {The accretion environment of supergiant fast X-ray transients probed with XMM-Newton}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {608}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201730398}, pages = {20}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Context. Supergiant fast X-ray (SFXT) transients are a peculiar class of supergiant X-ray binaries characterized by a remarkable variability in the X-ray domain, widely ascribed to accretion from a clumpy stellar wind. Aims. In this paper we performed a systematic and homogeneous analysis of the sufficiently bright X-ray flares observed with XMM-Newton from the supergiant fast X-ray transients to probe spectral variations on timescales as short as a few hundred seconds. Our ultimate goal is to investigate whether SFXT flares and outbursts are triggered by the presence of clumps, and to reveal whether strongly or mildly dense clumps are required. Methods. For all sources, we employ a technique developed by our group already exploited in a number of our previous papers, making use of an adaptive rebinned hardness ratio to optimally select the time intervals for the spectral extraction. A total of twelve observations performed in the direction of five SFXTs are reported, providing the largest sample of events available so far. Results. Using the original results reported here and those obtained with our technique from the analysis of two previously published XMM-Newton observations of IGR J17544-2619 and IGR J18410-0535, we show that both strongly and mildly dense clumps can trigger these events. In the former case, the local absorption column density may increase by a factor of >> 3, while in the latter case, the increase is only a factor of similar to 2-3 (or lower). An increase in the absorption column density is generally recorded during the rise of the flares/outbursts, while a drop follows when the source achieves peak flux. In a few cases, a re-increase of the absorption column density after the flare is also detected, and we discovered one absorption event related to the passage of an unaccreted clump in front of the compact object. Overall, there seems to be no obvious correlation between the dynamic ranges in the X-ray fluxes and absorption column densities in supergiant fast X-ray transients, with an indication that lower densities are recorded at the highest fluxes. Conclusions. The spectral variations measured in all sources are in agreement with the idea that the flares/outbursts are triggered by the presence of dense structures in the wind interacting with the X-rays from the compact object (leading to photoionization). The lack of correlation between the dynamic ranges in the X-ray fluxes and absorption column densities can be explained by the presence of accretion inhibition mechanism(s). Based on the knowledge acquired so far on the SFXTs, we propose a classification of the flares/outbursts from these sources in order to drive future observational investigations. We suggest that the difference between the classes of flares/outbursts is related to the fact that the mechanism(s) inhibiting accretion can be overcome more easily in some sources compared to others. We also investigate the possibility that different stellar wind structures, other than clumps, could provide the means to temporarily overcome the inhibition of accretion in supergiant fast X-ray transients.}, language = {en} } @article{GrinbergHellElMellahetal.2017, author = {Grinberg, Victoria and Hell, Natalie and El Mellah, Ileyk and Neilsen, Joseph and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Leutenegger, Maurice and F{\"u}rst, Felix and Huenemoerder, David P. and Kretschmar, Peter and Kuehnel, Matthias and Martinez-Nunez, Silvia and Niu, Shu and Pottschmidt, Katja and Schulz, Norbert S. and Wilms, Joern and Nowak, Michael A.}, title = {The clumpy absorber in the high-mass X-ray binary Vela X-1}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {608}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731843}, pages = {18}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Bright and eclipsing, the high-mass X-ray binary Vela X-1 offers a unique opportunity to study accretion onto a neutron star from clumpy winds of O/B stars and to disentangle the complex accretion geometry of these systems. In Chandra-HETGS spectroscopy at orbital phase similar to 0.25, when our line of sight towards the source does not pass through the large-scale accretion structure such as the accretion wake, we observe changes in overall spectral shape on timescales of a few kiloseconds. This spectral variability is, at least in part, caused by changes in overall absorption and we show that such strongly variable absorption cannot be caused by unperturbed clumpy winds of O/B stars. We detect line features from high and low ionization species of silicon, magnesium, and neon whose strengths and presence depend on the overall level of absorption. These features imply a co-existence of cool and hot gas phases in the system, which we interpret as a highly variable, structured accretion flow close to the compact object such as has been recently seen in simulations of wind accretion in high-mass X-ray binaries.}, language = {en} } @article{ArchambaultArcherAuneetal.2016, author = {Archambault, S. and Archer, A. and Aune, T. and Barnacka, Anna and Benbow, W. and Bird, R. and Buchovecky, M. and Buckley, J. H. and Bugaev, V. and Byrum, K. and Cardenzana, J. V. and Cerruti, M. and Chen, Xuhui and Ciupik, L. and Collins-Hughes, E. and Connolly, M. P. and Cui, W. and Dickinson, H. J. and Dumm, J. and Eisch, J. D. and Falcone, A. and Feng, Q. and Finley, J. P. and Fleischhack, H. and Flinders, A. and Fortin, P. and Fortson, L. and Furniss, A. and Gillanders, G. H. and Griffin, S. and Grube, J. and Gyuk, G. and Huetten, M. and Hakansson, Nils and Hanna, D. and Holder, J. and Humensky, T. B. and Johnson, C. A. and Kaaret, P. and Kar, P. and Kelley-Hoskins, N. and Kertzman, M. and Khassen, Y. and Kieda, D. and Krause, M. and Krennrich, F. and Kumar, S. and Lang, M. J. and Maier, G. and McArthur, S. and McCann, A. and Meagher, K. and Millis, J. and Moriarty, P. and Mukherjee, R. and Nieto, D. and Ong, R. A. and Otte, A. N. and Pandel, D. and Park, N. and Pelassa, V. and Pohl, Martin and Popkow, A. and Pueschel, Elisa and Quinn, J. and Ragan, K. and Reynolds, P. T. and Richards, G. T. and Roache, E. and Rousselle, J. and Rulten, C. and Santander, M. and Sembroski, G. H. and Shahinyan, K. and Smith, A. W. and Staszak, D. and Telezhinsky, Igor O. and Tucci, J. V. and Tyler, J. and Vincent, S. and Wakely, S. P. and Weiner, O. M. and Weinstein, A. and Wilhelm, Alina and Williams, D. A. and Zitzer, B.}, title = {EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT TEV FLARES FROM THE BINARY LS I+61 degrees 303}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {817}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8205/817/1/L7}, pages = {6}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The TeV binary system LS I +61 degrees 303 is known for its regular, non-thermal emission pattern that traces the orbital period of the compact object in its 26.5 day orbit around its B0 Ve star companion. The system typically presents elevated TeV emission around apastron passage with flux levels between 5\% and 15\% of the steady flux from the Crab Nebula (> 300 GeV). In this article, VERITAS observations of LS I + 61 degrees. 303 taken in late 2014 are presented, during which bright TeV flares around apastron at flux levels peaking above 30\% of the Crab Nebula flux were detected. This is the brightest such activity from this source ever seen in the TeV regime. The strong outbursts have rise and fall times of less than a day. The short timescale of the flares, in conjunction with the observation of 10 TeV photons from LS I + 61 degrees 303 during the flares, provides constraints on the properties of the accelerator in the source.}, language = {en} } @article{BozzoOskinovaFeldmeieretal.2016, author = {Bozzo, Enrico and Oskinova, Lida and Feldmeier, Achim and Falanga, M.}, title = {Clumpy wind accretion in supergiant neutron star high mass X-ray binaries}, series = {BMC neuroscience}, volume = {589}, journal = {BMC neuroscience}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201628341}, pages = {369 -- 389}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The accretion of the stellar wind material by a compact object represents the main mechanism powering the X-ray emission in classical supergiant high mass X-ray binaries and supergiant fast X-ray transients. In this work we present the first attempt to simulate the accretion process of a fast and dense massive star wind onto a neutron star, taking into account the effects of the centrifugal and magnetic inhibition of accretion ("gating") due to the spin and magnetic field of the compact object. We made use of a radiative hydrodynamical code to model the nonstationary radiatively driven wind of an O-B supergiant star and then place a neutron star characterized by a fixed magnetic field and spin period at a certain distance from the massive companion. Our calculations follow, as a function of time (on a total timescale of several hours), the transitions of the system through all different accretion regimes that are triggered by the intrinsic variations in the density and velocity of the nonstationary wind. The X-ray luminosity released by the system is computed at each time step by taking into account the relevant physical processes occurring in the different accretion regimes. Synthetic lightcurves are derived and qualitatively compared with those observed from classical supergiant high mass X-ray binaries and supergiant fast X-ray transients. Although a number of simplifications are assumed in these calculations, we show that taking into account the effects of the centrifugal and magnetic inhibition of accretion significantly reduces the average X-ray luminosity expected for any neutron star wind-fed binary. The present model calculations suggest that long spin periods and stronger magnetic fields are favored in order to reproduce the peculiar behavior of supergiant fast X-ray transients in the X-ray domain.}, language = {en} }