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arXiv · 1504.05125

Echelle Spectroscopy of gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856

Idel R. Waisberg·Roger W. Romani
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Abstract

We observed the Fermi-discovered gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856 at 20 epochs over 50 days using the CHIRON spectrograph, obtaining spectra at R~25,000 covering 4090-8908A. The average spectrum confirms an O6 V((f)) spectral type and extinction E(B-V) = 1.35+/-0.04. Variable absorption line equivalent widths suggest substantial contamination by wind line features. The limited S/N ratio hindered accurate continuum definition and prevented measurement of a high quality radial velocity curve. Nevertheless, the best data indicate a radial velocity amplitude <40 km/s for the He II lines and substantially lower for H I. We argue that this indicates a most likely compact object mass <2.2Msun. While black hole solutions are not excluded, a neutron star source of the gamma-ray emission seems preferred.

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Idel R. Waisberg, Roger W. Romani. 2015-04-20. Echelle Spectroscopy of gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x%2F812%2F2%2F178

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