TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sidoli, Lara
A1  - Sguera, Vito
A1  - Esposito, Paolo
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Polletta, Maria del Carmen
T1  - XMM-Newton discovery of very high obscuration in the candidate Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient AX J1714.1-3912
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individual: AX J1714.1-3912
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stac691
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 512
IS  - 2
SP  - 2929
EP  - 2935
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bozzo, Enrico
A1  - Ferrigno, Carlo
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Ducci, Lorenzo
T1  - 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
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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).
KW  - accretion
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: neutron
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individual: 3A 1954+319
KW  - X-rays: stars
KW  - accretion discs
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab3688
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 510
IS  - 3
SP  - 4645
EP  - 4653
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bozzo, Enrico
A1  - Romano, Patrizia
A1  - Ferrigno, Carlo
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
T1  - The symbiotic X-ray binaries Sct X-1, 4U 1700+24, and IGR J17329-2731
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - accretion
KW  - accretion discs
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: neutron
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individual: SctX-1
KW  - X-rays: individual: 4U1700+24;
KW  - X-rays: stars
KW  - X-rays: individual: IGRJ17329-2731
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stac907
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 513
IS  - 1
SP  - 42
EP  - 54
PB  - Oxford University Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Martinez-Chicharro, M.
A1  - Torrejon, J. M.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Furst, F.
A1  - Postnov, K.
A1  - Rodes-Roca, J. J.
A1  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Bodaghee, A.
T1  - Evidence of Compton cooling during an X-ray flare supports a neutron star nature of the compact object in 4U1700-37
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: individual: 4U1700-37
KW  - V*V884 Sco
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slx165
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 473
IS  - 1
SP  - L74
EP  - L78
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Fürst, F.
A1  - Kretschmar, P.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
T1  - Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer
BT  - Stellar wind stratification in the high-mass X-ray binary Vela X-1
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: mass-loss
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201731575
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 610
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - González-Galán, Ana
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Popov, Sergei B.
A1  - Haberl, F.
A1  - Kühnel, M.
A1  - Gallagher, John S.
A1  - Schurch, Matthew
A1  - Guerrero, Martín A.
T1  - A multiwavelength study of SXP 1062, the long-period X-ray pulsar associated with a supernova remnant
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: neutron
KW  - pulsars: individual: SXP 1062
KW  - galaxies: individual: Small Magellanic Cloud
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx3127
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 475
IS  - 2
SP  - 2809
EP  - 2821
PB  - Oxford University Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Ahnen, M. L.
A1  - Ansoldi, S.
A1  - Antonelli, L. A.
A1  - Arcaro, C.
A1  - Babie, A.
A1  - Banerjee, B.
A1  - Bangale, P.
A1  - de Almeida, U. Barres
A1  - Barrio, J. A.
A1  - Gonzalez, J. Becerra
A1  - Bednarek, W.
A1  - Bernardini, E.
A1  - Berti, A.
A1  - Biasuzzi, B.
A1  - Biland, A.
A1  - Blanch, O.
A1  - Bonnefoy, S.
A1  - Bonnoli, G.
A1  - Borracci, F.
A1  - Carosi, R.
A1  - Carosi, A.
A1  - Chatterjee, A.
A1  - Colin, P.
A1  - Colombo, E.
A1  - Contreras, J. L.
A1  - Cortina, J.
A1  - Covino, S.
A1  - Cumani, P.
A1  - Da Vela, P.
A1  - Dazzi, F.
A1  - De Angelis, A.
A1  - De Lotto, B.
A1  - Wilhelmi, E. de Ona
A1  - Di Pierro, F.
A1  - Doert, M.
A1  - Dominguez, A.
A1  - Prester, D. Dominis
A1  - Dorner, D.
A1  - Doro, M.
A1  - Einecke, S.
A1  - Glawion, D. Eisenacher
A1  - Elsaesser, D.
A1  - Engelkemeier, M.
A1  - Ramazani, V. Fallah
A1  - Fernandez-Barra, A.
A1  - Fidalgo, D.
A1  - Fonseca, M. V.
A1  - Font, L.
A1  - Fruck, C.
A1  - Galindo, D.
A1  - Lopez, R. J. Garcia
A1  - Garczarczyk, M.
A1  - Gaug, M.
A1  - Giammaria, P.
A1  - Godinovie, N.
A1  - Gora, D.
A1  - Griffiths, S.
A1  - Guberman, D.
A1  - Hadasch, D.
A1  - Hahn, A.
A1  - Hassan, T.
A1  - Hayashida, M.
A1  - Herrera, J.
A1  - Hose, J.
A1  - Hrupec, D.
A1  - Hughes, G.
A1  - Ishio, K.
A1  - Konno, Y.
A1  - Kubo, H.
A1  - Kushida, J.
A1  - Kuvezdie, D.
A1  - Lelas, D.
A1  - Lindfors, E.
A1  - Lombardi, S.
A1  - Longo, F.
A1  - Lopez, M.
A1  - Lopez-Oramas, A.
A1  - Majumdar, P.
A1  - Makariev, M.
A1  - Maneva, G.
A1  - Manganaro, M.
A1  - Mannheim, K.
A1  - Maraschi, L.
A1  - Mariotti, M.
A1  - Martinez, M.
A1  - Mazin, D.
A1  - Menzel, U.
A1  - Minev, M.
A1  - Mirzoyan, R.
A1  - Moralejo, A.
A1  - Moreno, V.
A1  - Moretti, E.
A1  - Munar-Adrover, P.
A1  - Neustroev, V.
A1  - Niedzwiecki, A.
A1  - Rosillo, M. Nievas
A1  - Nilsson, K.
A1  - Nishijima, K.
A1  - Noda, K.
A1  - Nogues, L.
A1  - Paiano, S.
A1  - Palacio, J.
A1  - Paneque, D.
A1  - Paoletti, R.
A1  - Paredes, J. M.
A1  - Paredes-Fortuny, X.
A1  - Pedaletti, G.
A1  - Peresano, M.
A1  - Perri, L.
A1  - Persic, M.
A1  - Moroni, P. G. Prada
A1  - Prandini, E.
A1  - Puljak, I.
A1  - Garcia, J. R.
A1  - Reichardt, I.
A1  - Rhode, W.
A1  - Riti, M.
A1  - Rico, J.
A1  - Saito, T.
A1  - Satalecka, K.
A1  - Schroeder, S.
A1  - Schweizer, T.
A1  - Shore, S. N.
A1  - Sillanpaa, A.
A1  - Sitarek, J.
A1  - Sobczynskall, D.
A1  - Stamerra, A.
A1  - Strzys, M.
A1  - Surie, T.
A1  - Takalo, L.
A1  - Tavecchio, F.
A1  - Temnikov, P.
A1  - Terzie, T.
A1  - Tescaro, D.
A1  - Teshima, M.
A1  - Torres, D. F.
A1  - Torres-Alla, N.
A1  - Treves, A.
A1  - Vanzo, G.
A1  - Acosta, M. Vazquez
A1  - Vovk, I.
A1  - Ward, J. E.
A1  - Will, M.
A1  - Wu, M. H.
A1  - Zarie, D.
A1  - Abdalla, Hassan E.
A1  - Abramowski, A.
A1  - Aharonian, Felix A.
A1  - Benkhali, F. Ait
A1  - Akhperjanian, A. G.
A1  - Andersson, T.
A1  - Angüner, Ekrem Oǧuzhan
A1  - Arakawa, M.
A1  - Arrieta, M.
A1  - Aubert, P.
A1  - Backes, M.
A1  - Balzer, A.
A1  - Barnard, M.
A1  - Becherini, Y.
A1  - Tjus, J. Becker
A1  - Berge, D.
A1  - Bernhard, S.
A1  - Bernlohr, K.
A1  - Blackwell, R.
A1  - Bottcher, M.
A1  - Boisson, C.
A1  - Bolmont, J.
A1  - Bordas, Pol
A1  - Bregeon, J.
A1  - Brun, F.
A1  - Brun, P.
A1  - Bryan, M.
A1  - Btichele, M.
A1  - Bulik, T.
A1  - Capasso, M.
A1  - Carr, J.
A1  - Casanova, Sabrina
A1  - Cerruti, M.
A1  - Chakraborty, N.
A1  - Chalme-Calvet, R.
A1  - Chaves, R. C. G.
A1  - Chen, A.
A1  - Chevalier, J.
A1  - Chretien, M.
A1  - Coffaro, M.
A1  - Colafrancesco, S.
A1  - Cologna, G.
A1  - Condon, B.
A1  - Conrad, J.
A1  - Cui, Y.
A1  - Davids, I. D.
A1  - Decock, J.
A1  - Degrange, B.
A1  - Dei, C.
A1  - Devin, J.
A1  - Dewilt, P.
A1  - Dirson, L.
A1  - Djannati-Atai, A.
A1  - Domainko, W.
A1  - Donath, A.
A1  - Dutson, K.
A1  - Dyks, J.
A1  - Edwards, T.
A1  - Egberts, Kathrin
A1  - Eger, P.
A1  - Ernenwein, J. -P.
A1  - Eschbach, S.
A1  - Farnier, C.
A1  - Fegan, S.
A1  - Fernandes, M. V.
A1  - Fiasson, A.
A1  - Fontaine, G.
A1  - Forster, A.
A1  - Funk, S.
A1  - Ftifiling, M.
A1  - Gabici, S.
A1  - Gajdus, M.
A1  - Gallant, Y. A.
A1  - Garrigoux, T.
A1  - Giavitto, G.
A1  - Giebels, B.
A1  - Glicenstein, J. F.
A1  - Gottschal, D.
A1  - Goya, A.
A1  - Grondin, M. -H.
A1  - Hahn, J.
A1  - Haupt, M.
A1  - Hawkes, J.
A1  - Heinzelmann, G.
A1  - Henri, G.
A1  - Hermann, G.
A1  - Hervet, O.
A1  - Hinton, J. A.
A1  - Hofmann, W.
A1  - Hoischen, Clemens
A1  - Holler, M.
A1  - Horns, D.
A1  - Ivascenko, A.
A1  - Iwasaki, H.
A1  - Jacholkowska, A.
A1  - Jamrozy, M.
A1  - Janiak, M.
A1  - Jankowsky, D.
A1  - Jankowsky, F.
A1  - Jingo, M.
A1  - Jogler, T.
A1  - Jouvin, L.
A1  - Jung-Richardt, I.
A1  - Kastendieck, M. A.
A1  - Katarzyfiski, K.
A1  - Katsuragawa, M.
A1  - Katz, U.
A1  - Kerszberg, D.
A1  - Khangulyan, D.
A1  - Khelifi, B.
A1  - Kieffer, M.
A1  - King, J.
A1  - Klepser, S.
A1  - Klochkov, D.
A1  - Kluiniak, W.
A1  - Kolitzus, D.
A1  - Komin, Nu.
A1  - Kosack, K.
A1  - Krakau, S.
A1  - Kraus, M.
A1  - Krtiger, P. P.
A1  - Laffon, H.
A1  - Lamanna, G.
A1  - Lau, J.
A1  - Lees, J. -P.
A1  - Lefaucheur, J.
A1  - Lefranc, V.
A1  - Lemiere, A.
A1  - Lemoine-Goumard, M.
A1  - Lenain, J. -P.
A1  - Leser, Eva
A1  - Lohse, T.
A1  - Lorentz, M.
A1  - Liu, R.
A1  - Lopez-Coto, R.
A1  - Lypova, I.
A1  - Marandon, V.
A1  - Marcowith, Alexandre
A1  - Mariaud, C.
A1  - Marx, R.
A1  - Maurin, G.
A1  - Maxted, N.
A1  - Mayer, M.
A1  - Meintjes, P. J.
A1  - Meyer, M.
A1  - Mitche, A. M. W.
A1  - Moderski, R.
A1  - Mohamed, M.
A1  - Mohrmann, L.
A1  - Mora, K.
A1  - Moulin, Emmanuel
A1  - Murach, T.
A1  - Nakashima, S.
A1  - De Naurois, M.
A1  - Niederwanger, F.
A1  - Niemiec, J.
A1  - Oakes, L.
A1  - Odaka, H.
A1  - Ott, S.
A1  - Ohm, S.
A1  - Ostrowski, M.
A1  - Oya, I.
A1  - Padovani, M.
A1  - Panter, M.
A1  - Parsons, R. D.
A1  - Pekeur, N. W.
A1  - Pelletier, G.
A1  - Perennes, C.
A1  - Petrucci, P. -O.
A1  - Peyaud, B.
A1  - Pie, Q.
A1  - Pita, S.
A1  - Poon, H.
A1  - Prokhorov, D.
A1  - Prokoph, H.
A1  - Ptffilhofer, G.
A1  - Punch, M.
A1  - Quirrenbach, A.
A1  - Raab, S.
A1  - Reimer, A.
A1  - Reimer, O.
A1  - Renaud, M.
A1  - De Los Reyes, R.
A1  - Richter, S.
A1  - Rieger, F.
A1  - Romoli, C.
A1  - Rowell, G.
A1  - Rudak, B.
A1  - Rulten, C. B.
A1  - Safi-Harb, S.
A1  - Sahakian, V.
A1  - Saito, S.
A1  - Salek, D.
A1  - Sanchez, D. A.
A1  - Santangelo, A.
A1  - Sasaki, M.
A1  - Schlickeiser, R.
A1  - Schtissler, F.
A1  - Schulz, A.
A1  - Schwanke, U.
A1  - Schwemmer, S.
A1  - Seglar-Arroyo, M.
A1  - Settimo, M.
A1  - Seyffert, A. S.
A1  - Shafi, N.
A1  - Shilon, I.
A1  - Simoni, R.
A1  - So, H.
A1  - Spanier, F.
A1  - Spengler, G.
A1  - Spies, F.
A1  - Stawarz, L.
A1  - Steenkamp, R.
A1  - Stegmann, Christian
A1  - Stycz, K.
A1  - Sushch, I.
A1  - Takahashi, T.
A1  - Tavernet, J. -P.
A1  - Tavernier, T.
A1  - Taylor, A. M.
A1  - Terrier, R.
A1  - Tibaldo, L.
A1  - Tiziani, D.
A1  - Tluczykont, M.
A1  - Trichard, C.
A1  - Tsuji, N.
A1  - Tuffs, R.
A1  - Uchiyama, Y.
A1  - Van der Walt, D. J.
A1  - Van Eldik, C.
A1  - Van Rensburg, C.
A1  - Van Soelen, B.
A1  - Vasileiadis, G.
A1  - Veh, J.
A1  - Venter, C.
A1  - Viana, A.
A1  - Vincent, P.
A1  - Vink, J.
A1  - Voisin, F.
A1  - Vok, H. J.
A1  - Vuillaume, T.
A1  - Wadiasingh, Z.
A1  - Wagner, S. J.
A1  - Wagner, P.
A1  - Wagner, R. M.
A1  - White, R.
A1  - Wierzcholska, A.
A1  - Willmann, P.
A1  - Wornlein, A.
A1  - Wouters, D.
A1  - Yang, R.
A1  - Zabalza, V.
A1  - Zaborov, D.
A1  - Zacharias, M.
A1  - Zanin, R.
A1  - Zdziarski, A. A.
A1  - Zech, Alraune
A1  - Zefi, F.
A1  - Ziegler, A.
A1  - Zywuckan, N.
T1  - Constraints on particle acceleration in SS433/W50 from MAGIC and HESS observations
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - gamma rays: general
KW  - stars: black holes
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - ISM: jets and outflows
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201731169
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 612
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Abdalla, Hassan E.
A1  - Abramowski, A.
A1  - Aharonian, Felix A.
A1  - Benkhali, F. Ait
A1  - Akhperjanian, A. G.
A1  - Anguenee, E. O.
A1  - Arrieta, M.
A1  - Aubert, P.
A1  - Backes, M.
A1  - Balzer, A.
A1  - Barnard, M.
A1  - Becherini, Y.
A1  - Tjus, J. Becker
A1  - Berge, D.
A1  - Bernhard, S.
A1  - Bernloehr, K.
A1  - Birsin, E.
A1  - Blackwell, R.
A1  - Boettcher, M.
A1  - Boisson, C.
A1  - Bolmont, J.
A1  - Bordas, Pol
A1  - Bregeon, J.
A1  - Brun, F.
A1  - Brun, P.
A1  - Bryan, M.
A1  - Bulik, T.
A1  - Capasso, M.
A1  - Carr, J.
A1  - Casanova, Sabrina
A1  - Chadwick, P. M.
A1  - Chakraborty, N.
A1  - Chalme-Calvet, R.
A1  - Chaves, R. C. G.
A1  - Chen, A.
A1  - Chevalier, J.
A1  - Chretien, M.
A1  - Colafrancesco, S.
A1  - Cologna, G.
A1  - Condon, B.
A1  - Conrad, J.
A1  - Couturier, C.
A1  - Cui, Y.
A1  - Davids, I. D.
A1  - Degrange, B.
A1  - Deil, C.
A1  - deWilt, P.
A1  - Dickinson, H. J.
A1  - Djannati-Atai, A.
A1  - Domainko, W.
A1  - Donath, A.
A1  - Dubus, G.
A1  - Dutson, K.
A1  - Dyks, J.
A1  - Dyrda, M.
A1  - Edwards, T.
A1  - Egberts, Kathrin
A1  - Eger, P.
A1  - Ernenwein, J. -P.
A1  - Eschbach, S.
A1  - Farnier, C.
A1  - Fegan, S.
A1  - Fernandes, M. V.
A1  - Fiasson, A.
A1  - Fontaine, G.
A1  - Foerster, A.
A1  - Funk, S.
A1  - Fuessling, M.
A1  - Gabici, S.
A1  - Gajdus, M.
A1  - Gallant, Y. A.
A1  - Garrigoux, T.
A1  - Giavitto, G.
A1  - Giebels, B.
A1  - Glicenstein, J. F.
A1  - Gottschall, D.
A1  - Goya, A.
A1  - Grondin, M. -H.
A1  - Grudzinska, M.
A1  - Hadasch, D.
A1  - Hahn, J.
A1  - Hawkes, J.
A1  - Heinzelmann, G.
A1  - Henri, G.
A1  - Hermann, G.
A1  - Hervet, O.
A1  - Hillert, A.
A1  - Hinton, J. A.
A1  - Hofmann, W.
A1  - Hoischen, Clemens
A1  - Holler, M.
A1  - Horns, D.
A1  - Ivascenko, A.
A1  - Jacholkowska, A.
A1  - Jamrozy, M.
A1  - Janiak, M.
A1  - Jankowsky, D.
A1  - Jankowsky, F.
A1  - Jingo, M.
A1  - Jogler, T.
A1  - Jouvin, L.
A1  - Jung-Richardt, I.
A1  - Kastendieck, M. A.
A1  - Katarzynski, K.
A1  - Katz, U.
A1  - Kerszberg, D.
A1  - Khelifi, B.
A1  - Kieffer, M.
A1  - King, J.
A1  - Klepser, S.
A1  - Klochkov, D.
A1  - Kluzniak, W.
A1  - Kolitzus, D.
A1  - Komin, Nu.
A1  - Kosack, K.
A1  - Krakau, S.
A1  - Kraus, M.
A1  - Krayzel, F.
A1  - Krueger, P. P.
A1  - Laffon, H.
A1  - Lamanna, G.
A1  - Lau, J.
A1  - Lees, J. -P.
A1  - Lefaucheur, J.
A1  - Lefranc, V.
A1  - Lemiere, A.
A1  - Lemoine-Goumard, M.
A1  - Lenain, J. -P.
A1  - Leser, Eva
A1  - Lohse, T.
A1  - Lorentz, M.
A1  - Liu, R.
A1  - Lypova, I.
A1  - Marandon, V.
A1  - Marcowith, Alexandre
A1  - Mariaud, C.
A1  - Marx, R.
A1  - Maurin, G.
A1  - Maxted, N.
A1  - Mayer, M.
A1  - Meintjes, P. J.
A1  - Menzler, U.
A1  - Meyer, M.
A1  - Mitchell, A. M. W.
A1  - Moderski, R.
A1  - Mohamed, M.
A1  - Mora, K.
A1  - Moulin, Emmanuel
A1  - Murach, T.
A1  - de Naurois, M.
A1  - Niederwanger, F.
A1  - Niemiec, J.
A1  - Oakes, L.
A1  - Odaka, H.
A1  - Oettl, S.
A1  - Ohm, S.
A1  - Ostrowski, M.
A1  - Oya, I.
A1  - Padovani, M.
A1  - Panter, M.
A1  - Parsons, R. D.
A1  - Arribas, M. Paz
A1  - Pekeur, N. W.
A1  - Pelletier, G.
A1  - Petrucci, P. -O.
A1  - Peyaud, B.
A1  - Pita, S.
A1  - Poona, H.
A1  - Prokhorov, D.
A1  - Prokoph, H.
A1  - Puehlhofer, G.
A1  - Punch, M.
A1  - Quirrenbach, A.
A1  - Raab, S.
A1  - Reimer, A.
A1  - Reimer, O.
A1  - Renaud, M.
A1  - de los Reyes, R.
A1  - Rieger, F.
A1  - Romoli, C.
A1  - Rosier-Lees, S.
A1  - Rowell, G.
A1  - Rudak, B.
A1  - Rulten, C. B.
A1  - Sahakian, V.
A1  - Salek, D.
A1  - Sanchez, D. A.
A1  - Santangelo, A.
A1  - Sasaki, M.
A1  - Schlickeiser, R.
A1  - Schuessler, F.
A1  - Schulz, A.
A1  - Schwanke, U.
A1  - Schwemmer, S.
A1  - Seyffert, A. S.
A1  - Shafi, N.
A1  - Shilon, I.
A1  - Simoni, R.
A1  - Sol, H.
A1  - Spanier, F.
A1  - Spengler, G.
A1  - Spies, F.
A1  - Stawarz, L.
A1  - Steenkamp, R.
A1  - Stegmann, Christian
A1  - Stinzing, F.
A1  - Stycz, K.
A1  - Sushch, I.
A1  - Tavernet, J. -P.
A1  - Tavernier, T.
A1  - Taylor, A. M.
A1  - Terrier, R.
A1  - Tluczykont, M.
A1  - Trichard, C.
A1  - Tuffs, R.
A1  - van der Walt, J.
A1  - van Eldik, C.
A1  - van Soelen, B.
A1  - Vasileiadis, G.
A1  - Veh, J.
A1  - Venters, C.
A1  - Viana, A.
A1  - Vincent, P.
A1  - Vink, J.
A1  - Voisin, F.
A1  - Voelk, H. J.
A1  - Vuillaume, T.
A1  - Wadiasingh, Z.
A1  - Wagner, S. J.
A1  - Wagner, P.
A1  - Wagner, R. M.
A1  - White, R.
A1  - Wierzcholska, A.
A1  - Willmann, P.
A1  - Woernlein, A.
A1  - Wouters, D.
A1  - Yang, R.
A1  - Zabalza, V.
A1  - Zaborov, D.
A1  - Zacharias, M.
A1  - Zdziarski, A. A.
A1  - Zech, Alraune
A1  - Zefi, F.
A1  - Ziegler, A.
A1  - Zywucka, N.
T1  - 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
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - gamma rays: general
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individuals: GRS 1915+105
KW  - X-rays: individuals: Circinus X-1
KW  - X-rays: individuals: V4641 Sgr
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201527773
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 612
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Bulik, Tomasz
A1  - Gomez-Moran, Ada Nebot
T1  - Infrared outbursts as potential tracers of common-envelope events in high-mass X-ray binary formation
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - infrared: general
KW  - infrared: galaxies
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201832925
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 613
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Torrejon, J. M.
A1  - Reig, Pablo
A1  - Fürst, F.
A1  - Martinez-Chicharro, M.
A1  - Postnov, K.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
T1  - NuSTAR rules out a cyclotron line in the accreting magnetar candidate 4U2206+54
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - Stars: individual: 4U2206+54, BD+53 2790
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty1628
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 479
IS  - 3
SP  - 3366
EP  - 3372
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Abeysekara, A. U.
A1  - Benbow, Wystan
A1  - Bird, Ralph
A1  - Brill, A.
A1  - Brose, Robert
A1  - Buckley, J. H.
A1  - Chromey, A. J.
A1  - Daniel, M. K.
A1  - Falcone, A.
A1  - Finley, J. P.
A1  - Fortson, L.
A1  - Furniss, Amy
A1  - Gent, A.
A1  - Gillanders, Gerald H.
A1  - Hanna, David
A1  - Hassan, T.
A1  - Hervet, O.
A1  - Holder, J.
A1  - Hughes, G.
A1  - Humensky, T. B.
A1  - Kaaret, Philip
A1  - Kar, P.
A1  - Kertzman, M.
A1  - Kieda, David
A1  - Krause, Maria
A1  - Krennrich, F.
A1  - Kumar, S.
A1  - Lang, M. J.
A1  - Lin, T. T. Y.
A1  - Maier, Gernot
A1  - Moriarty, P.
A1  - Mukherjee, Reshmi
A1  - Ong, R. A.
A1  - Otte, Adam Nepomuk
A1  - Park, Nahee
A1  - Petrashyk, A.
A1  - Pohl, Martin
A1  - Pueschel, Elisa
A1  - Quinn, J.
A1  - Ragan, K.
A1  - Richards, Gregory T.
A1  - Roache, E.
A1  - Sadeh, I.
A1  - Santander, Marcos
A1  - Schlenstedt, S.
A1  - Sembroski, G. H.
A1  - Sushch, Iurii
A1  - Tyler, J.
A1  - Vassiliev, V. V.
A1  - Wakely, S. P.
A1  - Weinstein, A.
A1  - Wells, R. M.
A1  - Wilcox, P.
A1  - Wilhelm, Alina
A1  - Williams, David A.
A1  - Williamson, T. J.
A1  - Zitzer, B.
A1  - Acciari, V. A.
A1  - Ansoldi, S.
A1  - Antonelli, L. A.
A1  - Engels, A. Arbet
A1  - Baack, D.
A1  - Babic, A.
A1  - Banerjee, B.
A1  - de Almeida, U. Barres
A1  - Barrio, J. A.
A1  - Becerra Gonzalez, Josefa
A1  - Bednarek, Wlodek
A1  - Bernardini, Elisa
A1  - Berti, A.
A1  - Besenrieder, J.
A1  - Bhattacharyya, W.
A1  - Bigongiari, C.
A1  - Biland, A.
A1  - Blanch, O.
A1  - Bonnoli, G.
A1  - Busetto, G.
A1  - Carosi, R.
A1  - Ceribella, G.
A1  - Cikota, S.
A1  - Colak, S. M.
A1  - Colin, P.
A1  - Colombo, E.
A1  - Contreras, J. L.
A1  - Cortina, J.
A1  - Covino, S.
A1  - Da Vela, P.
A1  - Dazzi, F.
A1  - De Angelis, A.
A1  - De Lotto, B.
A1  - Delfino, M.
A1  - Delgado, J.
A1  - Di Pierro, F.
A1  - Do Souto Espinera, E.
A1  - Dominguez, A.
A1  - Prester, D. Dominis
A1  - Dorner, D.
A1  - Doro, M.
A1  - Einecke, S.
A1  - Elsaesser, D.
A1  - Ramazani, V. Fallah
A1  - Fattorini, A.
A1  - Fernandez-Barral, A.
A1  - Ferrara, G.
A1  - Fidalgo, D.
A1  - Foffano, L.
A1  - Fonseca, M. V.
A1  - Font, L.
A1  - Fruck, C.
A1  - Galindo, D.
A1  - Gallozzi, S.
A1  - Lopez, R. J. Garcia
A1  - Garczarczyk, M.
A1  - Gasparyan, S.
A1  - Gaug, Markus
A1  - Giammaria, P.
A1  - Godinovic, N.
A1  - Guberman, D.
A1  - Hadasch, D.
A1  - Hahn, A.
A1  - Herrera, J.
A1  - Hoang, J.
A1  - Hrupec, D.
A1  - Inoue, S.
A1  - Ishio, K.
A1  - Iwamura, Y.
A1  - Kubo, H.
A1  - Kushida, J.
A1  - Kuvezdic, D.
A1  - Lamastra, A.
A1  - Lelas, D.
A1  - Leone, Francesco
A1  - Lindfors, E.
A1  - Lombardi, S.
A1  - Longo, Francesco
A1  - Lopez, M.
A1  - Lopez-Oramas, A.
A1  - Machado de Oliveira Fraga, B.
A1  - Maggio, C.
A1  - Majumdar, P.
A1  - Makariev, M.
A1  - Mallamaci, M.
A1  - Maneva, G.
A1  - Manganaro, M.
A1  - Mannheim, K.
A1  - Maraschi, L.
A1  - Mariotti, M.
A1  - Martinez, M.
A1  - Masuda, S.
A1  - Mazin, D.
A1  - Minev, M.
A1  - Miranda, J. M.
A1  - Mirzoyan, R.
A1  - Molina, E.
A1  - Moralejo, A.
A1  - Moreno, V.
A1  - Moretti, E.
A1  - Munar-Adrover, Pere
A1  - Neustroev, V.
A1  - Niedzwiecki, Andrzej
A1  - Rosillo, Mireia Nievas
A1  - Nigro, C.
A1  - Nilsson, Kari
A1  - Ninci, D.
A1  - Nishijima, K.
A1  - Noda, K.
A1  - Nogues, L.
A1  - Noethe, M.
A1  - Paiano, Simona
A1  - Palacio, J.
A1  - Paneque, D.
A1  - Paoletti, R.
A1  - Paredes, J. M.
A1  - Pedaletti, G.
A1  - Penil, P.
A1  - Peresano, M.
A1  - Persic, M.
A1  - Moroni, P. G. Prada
A1  - Prandini, E.
A1  - Puljak, I.
A1  - Garcia, J. R.
A1  - Rhode, W.
A1  - Ribo, Marc
A1  - Rico, J.
A1  - Righi, C.
A1  - Rugliancich, A.
A1  - Saha, Lab
A1  - Sahakyan, Narek
A1  - Saito, T.
A1  - Satalecka, K.
A1  - Schweizer, T.
A1  - Sitarek, J.
A1  - Snidaric, I.
A1  - Sobczynska, D.
A1  - Somero, A.
A1  - Stamerra, A.
A1  - Strzys, M.
A1  - Suric, T.
A1  - Tavecchio, Fabrizio
A1  - Temnikov, P.
A1  - Terzic, T.
A1  - Teshima, M.
A1  - Torres-Alba, N.
A1  - Tsujimoto, S.
A1  - van Scherpenberg, J.
A1  - Vanzo, G.
A1  - Vazquez Acosta, M.
A1  - Vovk, I.
A1  - Will, M.
A1  - Zaric, D.
T1  - Periastron Observations of TeV Gamma-Ray Emission from a Binary System with a 50-year Period
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters
N2  - 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.
KW  - gamma rays: general
KW  - pulsars: individual (PSR J2032+4127, VER J2032+414, MAGIC J2032+4127)
KW  - stars: individual (MT91 213)
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/aae70e
SN  - 2041-8205
SN  - 2041-8213
VL  - 867
IS  - 1
PB  - IOP Publ. Ltd.
CY  - Bristol
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - El Mellah, Ileyk
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Sundqvist, Jon Olof
A1  - Keppens, Rony
T1  - Formation of wind-captured disks in supergiant X-ray binaries Consequences for Vela X-1 and Cygnus X-1
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - accretion, accretion disks
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - stars: black holes
KW  - stars: neutron
KW  - supergiants
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201834498
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 622
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Gvaramadze, V. V.
A1  - Kniazev, Alexei Y.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
T1  - Discovery of a putative supernova remnant around the long-period X-ray pulsar SXP 1323 in the Small Magellanic Cloud
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: emission-line, Be
KW  - stars: individual: [MA93] 1393
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - ISM: supernova remnants
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individual: SXP 1323
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slz018
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 485
IS  - 1
SP  - L6
EP  - L10
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Bik, A.
A1  - Mas-Hesse, J. M.
A1  - Hayes, M.
A1  - Adamo, A.
A1  - Östlin, Göran
A1  - Fürst, F.
A1  - Otí-Floranes, H.
T1  - ULX contribution to stellar feedback
BT  - an intermediate-mass black hole candidate and the population of ULXs in the low-metallicity starburst galaxy ESO338-4
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - galaxies: dwarf
KW  - galaxies: individual: ESO 338-4
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: ISM
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201935414
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 627
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bozzo, Enrico
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Lobel, A.
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
T1  - The super-orbital modulation of supergiant high-mass X-ray binaries
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: stars
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - gamma rays: stars
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: neutron
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201731930
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 606
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sanjurjo-Ferrrin, G.
A1  - Torrejon, J. M.
A1  - Postnov, K.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Rodes-Roca, J. J.
A1  - Bernabeu, Guillermo
T1  - XMM-Newton spectroscopy of the accreting magnetar candidate 4U0114+65
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - pulsars: individual: 4U0114+65
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201630119
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 606
SP  - 4039
EP  - 4042
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bozzo, Enrico
A1  - Bernardini, F.
A1  - Ferrigno, Carlo
A1  - Falanga, M.
A1  - Romano, Patrizia
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
T1  - The accretion environment of supergiant fast X-ray transients probed with XMM-Newton
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: individuals: IGRJ18450-0435
KW  - X-rays: individuals: IGRJ17544-2619
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - X-rays: individuals: SAXJ1818.6-1703
KW  - X-rays: individuals: IGRJ17354-3255
KW  - X-rays: individuals: IGRJ16328-4726
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201730398
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 608
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Grinberg, Victoria
A1  - Hell, Natalie
A1  - El Mellah, Ileyk
A1  - Neilsen, Joseph
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Leutenegger, Maurice
A1  - Fürst, Felix
A1  - Huenemoerder, David P.
A1  - Kretschmar, Peter
A1  - Kuehnel, Matthias
A1  - Martinez-Nunez, Silvia
A1  - Niu, Shu
A1  - Pottschmidt, Katja
A1  - Schulz, Norbert S.
A1  - Wilms, Joern
A1  - Nowak, Michael A.
T1  - The clumpy absorber in the high-mass X-ray binary Vela X-1
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - X-rays: individuals: Vela X-1
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: massive
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201731843
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 608
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Archambault, S.
A1  - Archer, A.
A1  - Aune, T.
A1  - Barnacka, Anna
A1  - Benbow, W.
A1  - Bird, R.
A1  - Buchovecky, M.
A1  - Buckley, J. H.
A1  - Bugaev, V.
A1  - Byrum, K.
A1  - Cardenzana, J. V.
A1  - Cerruti, M.
A1  - Chen, Xuhui
A1  - Ciupik, L.
A1  - Collins-Hughes, E.
A1  - Connolly, M. P.
A1  - Cui, W.
A1  - Dickinson, H. J.
A1  - Dumm, J.
A1  - Eisch, J. D.
A1  - Falcone, A.
A1  - Feng, Q.
A1  - Finley, J. P.
A1  - Fleischhack, H.
A1  - Flinders, A.
A1  - Fortin, P.
A1  - Fortson, L.
A1  - Furniss, A.
A1  - Gillanders, G. H.
A1  - Griffin, S.
A1  - Grube, J.
A1  - Gyuk, G.
A1  - Huetten, M.
A1  - Hakansson, Nils
A1  - Hanna, D.
A1  - Holder, J.
A1  - Humensky, T. B.
A1  - Johnson, C. A.
A1  - Kaaret, P.
A1  - Kar, P.
A1  - Kelley-Hoskins, N.
A1  - Kertzman, M.
A1  - Khassen, Y.
A1  - Kieda, D.
A1  - Krause, M.
A1  - Krennrich, F.
A1  - Kumar, S.
A1  - Lang, M. J.
A1  - Maier, G.
A1  - McArthur, S.
A1  - McCann, A.
A1  - Meagher, K.
A1  - Millis, J.
A1  - Moriarty, P.
A1  - Mukherjee, R.
A1  - Nieto, D.
A1  - Ong, R. A.
A1  - Otte, A. N.
A1  - Pandel, D.
A1  - Park, N.
A1  - Pelassa, V.
A1  - Pohl, Martin
A1  - Popkow, A.
A1  - Pueschel, Elisa
A1  - Quinn, J.
A1  - Ragan, K.
A1  - Reynolds, P. T.
A1  - Richards, G. T.
A1  - Roache, E.
A1  - Rousselle, J.
A1  - Rulten, C.
A1  - Santander, M.
A1  - Sembroski, G. H.
A1  - Shahinyan, K.
A1  - Smith, A. W.
A1  - Staszak, D.
A1  - Telezhinsky, Igor O.
A1  - Tucci, J. V.
A1  - Tyler, J.
A1  - Vincent, S.
A1  - Wakely, S. P.
A1  - Weiner, O. M.
A1  - Weinstein, A.
A1  - Wilhelm, Alina
A1  - Williams, D. A.
A1  - Zitzer, B.
T1  - EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT TEV FLARES FROM THE BINARY LS I+61 degrees 303
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters
N2  - 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.
KW  - binaries: general
KW  - gamma-rays: general
KW  - stars: individual (LS I+61 degrees 303, VER J0240+612)
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8205/817/1/L7
SN  - 2041-8205
SN  - 2041-8213
VL  - 817
PB  - IOP Publ. Ltd.
CY  - Bristol
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bozzo, Enrico
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Feldmeier, Achim
A1  - Falanga, M.
T1  - Clumpy wind accretion in supergiant neutron star high mass X-ray binaries
JF  - BMC neuroscience
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: neutron
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - supergiants
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628341
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 589
SP  - 369
EP  - 389
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  -