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arXiv · 0806.3888

Faint Galactic X-ray Binaries

P. G. Jonker·M. A. P. Torres·D. Steeghs
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Abstract

We present a short overview of the properties of faint Galactic X-ray binaries. We place emphasis on current classification scenarios. One of the important parameters for the faint sources is their intrinsic luminosity. In the case of low-mass X-ray binaries it has recently been realised that besides a phase of radius expansion, the duration of type I X-ray bursts can be used as a primer for the source luminosity in some cases. Further, we show that a very low equivalent width of hydrogen and helium emission lines in the optical spectrum alone is not a tell-tale sign for an ultra-compact system. Finally, we list and discuss some unusual sources that could be X-ray binaries.

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P. G. Jonker, M. A. P. Torres, D. Steeghs. 2008-06-24. Faint Galactic X-ray Binaries. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2945016

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