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The Galactic Centre Source IRS 13E: a Post-LBV Wolf-Rayet Colliding Wind Binary?

R. F. Coker·J. M. Pittard·J. H. Kastner
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Abstract

IRS 13E is an infrared, mm and X-ray source in the Galactic Centre. We present the first Chandra X-ray spectrum for IRS 13E and show that it is consistent with a luminous and highly absorbed X-ray binary system. Since the X-ray luminosity is too large for a solitary star, our interpretation is that of an early-type long-period binary with strong colliding winds emission. This naturally explains the observed X-ray spectrum and count rate as well as its lack of significant short term variability. Due to the short lifetime of any nebula 0.2 pc from the putative central super-massive black-hole, we argue that the primary of IRS 13E has exited the LBV phase in the last few thousand years.

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R. F. Coker, J. M. Pittard, J. H. Kastner. 2001-12-03. The Galactic Centre Source IRS 13E: a Post-LBV Wolf-Rayet Colliding Wind Binary?. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A20011745

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