arXiv subjects

Alexis Coleiro

Publications and source records attributed to Alexis Coleiro.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Spectroscopic identification of INTEGRAL high-energy sources with VLT/ISAAC

The INTEGRAL satellite has been observing the gamma-ray sky for 15 years and has detected over 900 X-ray sources of various nature. However, more than 200 of these sources still lack precise identification. Our goal is to reveal the nature of the high-energy sources detected by INTEGRAL. In particular, we want to improve the census of X-ray binaries. Photometry and spectroscopy were performed in July 2012 on 14 INTEGRAL sources in near-infrared at the Very Large Telescope on the European Southern Observatory-UT3 telescope equipped with the ISAAC spectrograph. We used K$_s$ images reaching to a depth of magnitude 18.5 to look for unique counterparts to high-energy detections to check for both extended sources and photometric variability. The analysis of near-infrared spectral features allows us to constrain the nature of these X-ray sources by comparing them to stellar spectra atlases. We present photometric and/or spectroscopic data for 14 sources (IGR J00465$-$4005, IGR J10447$-$6027, IGR J12489$-$6243, IGR J13020$-$6359, IGR J13186$-$6257, IGR J15293$-$5609, IGR J17200$-$3116, IGR J17404$-$3655, IGR J17586$-$2129, IGR J17597$-$2201, IGR J18457+0244, IGR J18532+0416, IGR J19308$+$0530, and IGR J19378$-$0617). We conclude that 5 of these are active galactic nuclei, 5 are cataclysmic variables, 2 are low- or intermediate-mass X-ray binaries, and 2 are Be high-mass X-ray binaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Multiwavelength study of the fast rotating supergiant high-mass X-ray binary IGR J16465-4507

Since its launch, the X-ray and gamma-ray observatory INTEGRAL satellite has revealed a new class of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXB) displaying fast flares and hosting supergiant companion stars. Optical and infrared (OIR) observations in a multi-wavelength context are essential to understand the nature and evolution of these newly discovered celestial objects. The goal of this multiwavelength study (from ultraviolet to infrared) is to characterise the properties of IGR J16465-4507, to confirm its HMXB nature and that it hosts a supergiant star. We analysed all OIR, photometric and spectroscopic observations taken on this source, carried out at ESO facilities. Using spectroscopic data, we constrained the spectral type of the companion star between B0.5 and B1 Ib, settling the debate on the true nature of this source. We measured a high rotation velocity of v = 320 +/- 8 km/s from fitting absorption and emission lines in a stellar spectral model. We then built a spectral energy distribution from photometric observations to evaluate the origin of the different components radiating at each energy range. We finally show that, having accurately determined the spectral type of the early-B supergiant in IGR J16465-4507, we firmly support its classification as an intermediate supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT).

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Herschel observations of dust around the high-mass X-ray binary GX 301-2

We aim at characterising the structure of the gas and dust around the high mass X-ray binary GX 301-2, a highly obscured X-ray binary hosting a hypergiant star and a neutron star, in order to better constrain its evolution. We used Herschel PACS to observe GX 301-2 in the far infrared and completed the spectral energy distribution of the source using published data or catalogs, from the optical to the radio range (0.4 to 4x10^4 micrometer). GX 301-2 is detected for the first time at 70 and 100 micrometer. We fitted different models of circumstellar environments to the data. All tested models are statistically acceptable, and consistent with a hypergiant star at ~3 kpc. We found that the addition of a free-free emission component from the strong stellar wind is required and could dominate the far infrared flux. Through comparisons with similar systems and discussion on the estimated model parameters, we favour a disk-like circumstellar environment of ~8 AU that would enshroud the binary system. The temperature goes down to ~200 K at the edge of the disk, allowing for dust formation. This disk is probably a rimmed viscous disk with an inner rim at the temperature of the dust sublimation temperature (~1500 K). The similarities between the hypergiant GX 301-2, B[e] supergiants and the highly obscured X-ray binaries (in particular IGR J16318-4848) are strengthened. GX 301-2 might represent a transition stage in the evolution of massive stars in binary systems, connecting supergiant B[e] systems to luminous blue variables.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Infrared identification of high-mass X-ray binaries discovered by INTEGRAL

Since it started observing the sky, the INTEGRAL satellite has discovered new categories of high mass X-ray binaries (HMXB) in our Galaxy. These observations raise important questions on the formation and evolution of these rare and short-lived objects. We present here new infrared observations from which to reveal or constrain the nature of 15 INTEGRAL sources, which allow us to update and discuss the Galactic HMXB population statistics. After previous photometric and spectroscopic observing campaigns in the optical and near-infrared, new photometry and spectroscopy was performed in the near-infrared with the SofI instrument on the ESO/NTT telescope in 2008 and 2010 on a sample of INTEGRAL sources. These observations, and specifically the detection of certain features in the spectra, allow the identification of these high-energy objects by comparison with published nIR spectral atlases of O and B stars. We present photometric data of nine sources (IGR J10101-5654, IGR J11187-5438, IGR J11435-6109, IGR J14331-6112, IGR J16328-4726, IGR J17200-3116, IGR J17354-3255, IGR J17404-3655, and IGR J17586-2129) and spectroscopic observations of 13 sources (IGR J10101-5654, IGR J11435-6109, IGR J13020-6359, IGR J14331-6112, IGR J14488-5942, IGR J16195-4945, IGR J16318-4848, IGR J16320-4751, IGR J16328-4726, IGR J16418-4532, IGR J17354-3255, IGR J17404-3655, and IGR J17586-2129). Our spectroscopic measurements indicate that: five of these objects are Oe/Be high-mass X-ray binaries (BeHMXB), six are supergiant high-mass X-ray binaries (sgHMXB), and two are sgB[e]. From a statistical point of view, we estimate the proportion of confirmed sgHMXB to be 42% and that of the confirmed BeHMXB to be 49%. The remaining 9% are peculiar HMXB.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Herschel observations of INTEGRAL supergiant High Mass X-ray Binaries

We present preliminary results on Herschel/PACS mid/far-infrared photometric observations of INTEGRAL supergiant High Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), with the aim of detecting the presence and characterizing the nature of absorbing material (dust and/or cold gas), either enshrouding the whole binary systems, or surrounding the sources within their close environment. These unique observations allow us to better characterize the nature of these HMXBs, to constrain the link with their environment (impact and feedback), and finally to get a better understanding of the formation and evolution of such rare and short-living supergiant HMXBs in our Galaxy.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Herschel views on ultra-luminous X-ray sources

The nature of ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs), which are off-nuclear extragalactic X-ray sources that exceed the Eddington luminosity for a stellar-mass black hole, is still largely unknown. They might be black hole X-ray binaries in a super-Eddington accretion state, possibly with significant beaming of their emission, or they might harbor a black hole of intermediate mass (10^2 to 10^5 solar masses). Due to the enormous amount of energy radiated, ULXs can have strong interactions with their environment, particularly if the emission is not beamed and if they host a massive black hole. We present early results of a project that uses archival Herschel infrared observations of galaxies hosting bright ULXs in order to constrain the nature of the environment surrounding the ULXs and possible interactions. We already observe a spatial correlation between ULXs and dense clouds of cold material, that will be quantified in subsequent work. Those observations will allow us to test the similarities with the environment of Galactic high mass X-ray binaries. This project will also shed light on the nature of the host galaxies, and the possible factors that could favor the presence of a ULX in a galaxy.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Distribution of High-Mass X-ray Binaries in the Milky Way

Observations of the high energy sky, particularly with the INTEGRAL satellite, have quadrupled the number of supergiant X-ray Binaries observed in the Galaxy, and revealed new populations of previously hidden High Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), raising new questions about their formation and evolution. The number of detected HMXBs of different types is now high enough to allow us to carry out a statistical analysis of their distribution in the Milky Way. For the first time, we derive the distance and absorption of a sample of HMXBs using a Spectral Energy Distribution fitting procedure, and we examine the correlation with the distribution of Star Forming Complexes (SFCs) in the Galaxy. We show that HMXBs are clustered with SFCs with a typical cluster size of 0.3 +/- 0.05 kpc and a characteristic distance between clusters of 1.7 +/- 0.3 kpc. Furthermore, we present an investigation of the expected offset between the position of spiral arms and HMXBs, allowing us to constrain age and migration distance due to supernova kick for 13 sources. These new methods will allow us to assess the influence of the environment on these high energy objects with unprecedented reliability.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

Distribution of High Mass X-ray Binaries in the Milky Way

The INTEGRAL satellite, observing the sky at high energy, has quadrupled the number of supergiant X-ray Binaries known in the Galaxy and has revealed new populations of previously hidden High Mass X-ray Binaries. These observations raise new questions about the formation and evolution of these sources. The number of detected sources is now high enough to allow us to carry out a statistical analysis of the distribution of HMXBs in the Milky Way. We derive the distance of each HMXB using a Spectral Energy Distribution fitting procedure, and we examine the correlation with the distribution of star forming complexes (SFCs) in the Galaxy. We show that HMXBs are clustered with SFCs, with a typical size of 0.3 kpc and a characteristic distance between clusters of 1.7 kpc.

astro-ph.HE↗