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The origin of Scorpius X-1

I. Felix Mirabel·Irapuan Rodrigues
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Abstract

We have used multi-wavelength observations of high precision to derive the space velocity and compute the orbit around the Galactic Centre of the prototype X-ray binary Scorpius X-1. An origin in the local spiral arm of the Milky Way is ruled out. The galactocentric kinematics of Scorpius X-1 is similar to that of the most ancient stars and globular clusters of the inner Galactic halo. Most probably, this low-mass X-ray binary was formed by a close encounter in a globular cluster. However, it cannot be ruled out that a natal supernova explosion launched Scorpius X-1 into an orbit like this from a birth place in the galactic bulge. In any case, the Galactocentric orbit indicates that Scorpius X-1 was formed more than 30 Myrs ago.

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I. Felix Mirabel, Irapuan Rodrigues. 2003-01-29. The origin of Scorpius X-1. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A20021767

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