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 - 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 -