arXiv subjects

M. A. P. Torres

Publications and source records attributed to M. A. P. Torres.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

A Relativistic Type Ibc Supernova Without a Detected Gamma-ray Burst

Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) mark the explosive death of some massive stars and are a rare sub-class of Type Ibc supernovae (SNe Ibc). They are distinguished by the production of an energetic and collimated relativistic outflow powered by a central engine (an accreting black hole or neutron star). Observationally, this outflow is manifested in the pulse of gamma-rays and a long-lived radio afterglow. To date, central engine-driven SNe have been discovered exclusively through their gamma-ray emission, yet it is expected that a larger population goes undetected due to limited satellite sensitivity or beaming of the collimated emission away from our line-of-sight. In this framework, the recovery of undetected GRBs may be possible through radio searches for SNe Ibc with relativistic outflows. Here we report the discovery of luminous radio emission from the seemingly ordinary Type Ibc SN 2009bb, which requires a substantial relativistic outflow powered by a central engine. The lack of a coincident GRB makes SN 2009bb the first engine-driven SN discovered without a detected gamma-ray signal. A comparison with our extensive radio survey of SNe Ibc reveals that the fraction harboring central engines is low, ~1 percent, measured independently from, but consistent with, the inferred rate of nearby GRBs. Our study demonstrates that upcoming optical and radio surveys will soon rival gamma-ray satellites in pinpointing the nearest engine-driven SNe. A similar result for a different supernova is reported independently.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Multi-wavelength observations of 1RXH J173523.7-354013: revealing an unusual bursting neutron star

On 2008 May 14, the Burst Alert Telescope aboard the Swift mission triggered on a type-I X-ray burst from the previously unclassified ROSAT object 1RXH J173523.7-354013, establishing the source as a neutron star X-ray binary. We report on X-ray, optical and near-infrared observations of this system. The X-ray burst had a duration of ~2 h and belongs to the class of rare, intermediately long type-I X-ray bursts. From the bolometric peak flux of ~3.5E-8 erg/cm^2/s, we infer a source distance of D<9.5 kpc. Photometry of the field reveals an optical counterpart that declined from R=15.9 during the X-ray burst to R=18.9 thereafter. Analysis of post-burst Swift/XRT observations, as well as archival XMM-Newton and ROSAT data suggests that the system is persistent at a 0.5-10 keV luminosity of ~2E35 (D/9.5 kpc)^2 erg/s. Optical and infrared photometry together with the detection of a narrow Halpha emission line (FWHM=292+/-9 km/s, EW=-9.0+/-0.4 Angstrom) in the optical spectrum confirms that 1RXH J173523.7-354013 is a neutron star low-mass X-ray binary. The Halpha emission demonstrates that the donor star is hydrogen-rich, which effectively rules out that this system is an ultra-compact X-ray binary.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Optical/infrared observations of the X-ray burster KS1731-260 in quiescence

We performed an optical/infrared study of the counterpart of the low-mass X-ray binary KS1731-260 to test its identification and obtain information about the donor. Optical and infrared images of the counterpart of KS1731-260 were taken in two different epochs (2001 and 2007) after the source returned to quiescence in X-rays. We compared those observations with obtained when KS 1731-260 was still active. We confirm the identification of KS1731-260 with the previously proposed counterpart and improve its position to RA=17:34:13.46 and DEC=-26:05:18.60. The H-band magnitude of this candidate showed a decline of ~1.7 mags from outburst to quiescence. In 2007 April we obtained R=22.8+-0.1 and I=20.9+-0.1 for KS1731-260. Similar optical brightness was measured in June 2001 and July 2007. The intrinsic optical color R-I is consistent with spectral types from F to G for the secondary although there is a large excess over that from the secondary at the infrared wavelengths. This may be due to emission from the cooler outer regions of the accretion disk. We cannot rule out a brown dwarf as a donor star, although it would require that the distance to the source is significantly lower than the 7 kpc reported by Muno et al. 2000.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

Time-resolved spectroscopy of the pulsating CV GW Lib

We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the dwarf nova GW Librae during its rare April 2007 super-outburst and compare these with quiescent epochs. The data provide the first opportunity to track the evolution of the principal spectral features. In the early stages of the outburst, the optically thick disc dominates the optical and the line components show clear orbital radial velocity excursions. In the course of several weeks, optically thin regions become more prominent as strong emission lines replace the broad disc absorption. Post-outburst spectroscopy covering the I-band illustrates the advantages of CaII relative to the commonly used Balmer lines when attempting to constrain binary parameters. Due to the lower ionisation energy combined with smaller thermal and shear broadening of these lines, a sharp emission component is seen to be moving in between the accretion disc peaks in the CaII line. No such component is visible in the Balmer lines. We interpret this as an emission component originating on the hitherto unseen mass donor star. While our conservative dynamical limits place a hard upper limit on the binary mass ratio of q<0.23, we favour a significantly lower value near q~0.06. Pulsation modeling suggests a WD mass ~1 M_sun. This, paired with a low mass donor, near the empirical sequence of an evolved CV close to the period bounce, appears to be consistent with all the observational constraints to date. [abridged]

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Following the 2008 outburst decay of the black hole candidate H1743-322 in X-ray and radio

In this Paper we report on radio (VLA and ATCA) and X-ray (RXTE, Chandra and Swift) observations of the outburst decay of the transient black hole candidate H1743-322 in early 2008. We find that the X-ray light curve followed an exponential decay, leveling off towards its quiescent level. The exponential decay timescale is ~4 days and the quiescent flux corresponds to a luminosity of 3x10^32 (d/7.5 kpc)^2 erg/s. This together with the relation between quiescent X-ray luminosity and orbital period reported in the literature suggests that H1743-322 has an orbital period longer than ~10 hours. Both the radio and X-ray light curve show evidence for flares. The radio - X-ray correlation can be well described by a power-law with index ~0.18. This is much lower than the index of 0.6-0.7 found for the decay of several black hole transients before. The radio spectral index measured during one of the radio flares while the source is in the low-hard state, is -0.5+-0.15, which indicates that the radio emission is optically thin. This is unlike what has been found before in black hole sources in the low-hard state. We attribute the radio flares and the low index for the radio - X-ray correlation to the presence of shocks downstream the jet flow, triggered by ejection events earlier in the outburst. We find no evidence for a change in X-ray power law spectral index during the decay, although the relatively high extinction of N_H =2.3x10^22 cm^-2 limits the detected number of soft photons and thus the accuracy of the spectral fits.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

XMMSL1 J060636.2-694933: An XMM-Newton Slew discovery and Swift/Magellan follow up of a new Classical Nova in the LMC

In order to discover new X-ray transients, the data taken by XMM-Newton as it slews between targets are being processed and cross-correlated with other X-ray observations. A bright source, XMMSL1 J060636.2-694933, was detected on 18 July 2006 at a position where no previous X-ray source had been seen. The XMM-Newton slew data, plus follow-up dedicated XMM-Newton and Swift observations, plus optical data acquired with the Magellan Clay telescope, and archival All-Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) data were used to classify the new object, and to investigate its properties. No XMM-Newton slew X-ray counts are detected above 1 keV and the source is seen to be over five hundred times brighter than the ROSAT All-Sky Survey upper limit at that position. The line-rich optical spectrum acquired with the Magellan telescope allows the object to be classified as an Ao auroral phase nova, and the soft X-ray spectrum indicates that the nova was in a super-soft source state in the X-ray decline seen in the follow-up X-ray observations. The archival ASAS data suggests that the nova at onset (Oct 2005) was a 'very fast' nova, and an estimate of its distance is consistent with the nova being situated within the LMC. With the discovery presented here of a new classical nova in the LMC, it is clear that XMM-Newton slew data are continuing to offer a powerful opportunity to find new X-ray transient objects.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Optical spectroscopy of the quiescent counterpart to EXO 0748-676

We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and X-ray timing of the neutron star X-ray binary EXO 0748-676 after the source returned to quiescence in the fall of 2008. The X-ray light curve displays eclipses consistent in orbital period, orbital phase and duration with the predictions and measurements before the return to quiescence. Halpha and He I emission lines are present in the optical spectra and show the signature of the orbit of the binary companion, placing a lower limit on the radial velocity semi-amplitude of K2>405 km/s. Both the flux in the continuum and the emission lines show orbital modulations, indicating that we observe the hemisphere of the binary companion that is being irradiated by the neutron star. Effects due to this irradiation preclude a direct measurement of the radial velocity semi-amplitude of the binary companion; in fact no stellar absorption lines are seen in the spectrum. Nevertheless, our observations place a stringent lower limit on the neutron star mass of M1>1.27 Msun. For the canonical neutron star mass of M1=1.4 Msun, the mass ratio is constrained to 0.075<q<0.105.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Doppler and modulation tomography of XTE J1118+480 in quiescence

We present Doppler and modulation tomography of the X-ray nova XTE J1118+480 with data obtained during quiescence using the 10-m Keck II telescope. The hot spot where the gas stream hits the accretion disc is seen in H-Alpha, H-Beta, He I Lambda-5876, and Ca II Lambda-8662, thus verifying the presence of continued mass transfer within the system. The disc is clearly seen in H-Alpha and Ca II Lambda-8662. We image the mass-donor star in narrow absorption lines of Na I Lambda-Lambda-5890, 5896, 8183, 8195 and Ca II Lambda-8662, implying an origin from the secondary itself rather than the interstellar medium. We also detect deviations in the centroid of the double peak of H-Alpha akin to those found by Zurita et al. 2002 suggesting disc eccentricity.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The 2003 Outburst of the X-ray Transient H 1743-322: Comparisons with the Black Hole Microquasar XTE J1550-564

The bright X-ray transient H 1743-322 was observed daily by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) during most of its 8-month outburst in 2003. We present a detailed spectral analysis and a supporting timing analysis of all of these data, and we discuss the behavior and evolution of the source in terms of the three principal X-ray states defined by Remillard and McClintock. These X-ray results are complemented by Very Large Array (VLA) data obtained at six frequencies that provide quite complete coverage of the entire outburst cycle at 4.860 GHz and 8.460 GHz. We also present photometric data and finding charts for the optical counterpart in both outburst and quiescence. We closely compare H 1743-322 to the well-studied black-hole X-ray transient XTE J1550-564 and find the behaviors of these systems to be very similar. As reported elsewhere, both H 1743-322 and XTE J1550-564 are relativistic jet sources and both exhibit a pair of high-frequency QPO oscillations with a 3:2 frequency ratio. The many striking similarities between these two sources argue strongly that H 1743-322 is a black hole binary, although presently no dynamical data exist to support this conclusion.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

Optical spectroscopy and Doppler tomography of Cygnus X-2

We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and Doppler tomography of V1341 Cygni, the optical counterpart to the neutron star low mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-2. We derive a radial velocity curve for the secondary star, finding a projected radial velocity semi-amplitude of K2 = 79 +/- 3 km/s, leading to a mass function of 0.51 +/- 0.06 Msun, ~30% lower than the previous estimate. We tentatively attribute the lower value of K2 (compared to that obtained by other authors) to variations in the X-ray irradiation of the secondary star at different epochs of observations. The limited phase coverage and/or longer timebase of previous observations may also contribute to the difference in K2. Our value for the mass function implies a primary mass of 1.5 +/- 0.3 Msun, somewhat lower than previous dynamical estimates, but consistent with the value found by analysis of type-I X-ray bursts from this system. Our Doppler tomography of the broad He II 4686 line reveals that most of the emission from this line is produced on the irradiated face of the donor star, with little emission from the accretion disc. In contrast, the Doppler tomogram of the N III 4640.64 Bowen blend line shows bright emission from near the gas stream/accretion disc impact region, with fainter emission from the gas stream and secondary star. This is the first LMXB for which the Bowen blend is dominated by emission from the gas stream/accretion disc impact region, without comparable emission from the secondary star. This has implications for the interpretation of Bowen blend Doppler tomograms of other LMXBs for which the ephemeris may not be accurately known.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

An evolved donor star in the long-period cataclysmic variable HS 0218+3229

Context. We present time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of HS 0218+3229, a new long-period cataclysmic variable discovered within the Hamburg Quasar Survey. It is one of the few systems that allow a dynamical measurement of the masses of the stellar components. Aims. We combine the analysis of time-resolved optical spectroscopy and R-band photometry with the aim of measuring the mass of the white dwarf and the donor star and the orbital inclination. Methods. Cross-correlation of the spectra with K-type dwarf templates is used to derive the radial velocity curve of the donor star. An optimal subtraction of the broadened templates is performed to measure the rotational broadening and constrain the spectral type of the donor. Finally, an ellipsoidal model is fitted to the R-band light curve to obtain constraints upon the orbital inclination of the binary system. Results. The orbital period of HS 0218+3229 is found to be 0.297229661 +- 0.000000001 d (7.13351186 +- 0.00000002 h), and the amplitude of the donor's radial velocity curve is K2 = 162.4 +- 1.4 km/s. Modelling the ellipsoidal light curves gives an orbital inclination in the range i = 59 +- 3 deg. A rotational broadening between 82.4 +- 1.2 km/s and 89.4 +- 1.3 km/s is found when assuming zero and continuum limb darkening, respectively. The secondary star has most likely a spectral type K5 and contributes ~ 80-85% to the R-band light. Our analysis yields a mass ratio of 0.52 < q < 0.65, a white dwarf mass of 0.44 < M1(Msol) < 0.65, and a donor star mass of 0.23 < M2(Msol) < 0.44. Conclusions. We find that the donor star in HS 0218+3229 is significantly undermassive for its spectral type. It is therefore very likely that it has undergone nuclear evolution prior to the onset of mass transfer.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

Faint Galactic X-ray Binaries

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.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Swift J1753.5-0127: The Black Hole Candidate with the shortest orbital period

We present time-resolved photometry of the optical counterpart to the black hole candidate Swift J1753.5-0127, which has remained in the low/hard X-ray state and bright at optical/IR wavelengths since its discovery in 2005. At the time of our observations Swift J1753.5-0127 does not show a decay trend but remains stable at R=16.45 with a night to night variability of ~0.05 mag. The R-band light curves, taken from 2007 June 3 to August 31, are not sinusoidal, but exhibit a complex morphology with remarkable changes in shape and amplitude. The best period determination is 3.2443+-0.0010 hours. This photometric period is likely a superhump period, slightly larger than the orbital period. Therefore, Swift J1753.5-0127 is the black hole candidate with the shortest orbital period observed to date. Our estimation of the distance is comparable to values previously published and likely places Swift J1753.5-0127 in the Galactic halo.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

XMM-Newton slew survey discovery of the nova XMMSL1 J070542.7-381442 (V598 Pup)

In an attempt to catch new X-ray transients while they are still bright, the data taken by XMM-Newton as it slews between targets is being processed and cross-correlated with other X-ray observations as soon as the slew data appears in the XMM-Newton archive. A bright source, XMMSL1 J070542.7-381442, was detected on 9 Oct 2007 at a position where no previous X-ray source had been seen. The XMM slew data and optical data acquired with the Magellan Clay 6.5m telescope were used to classify the new object. No XMM slew X-ray counts are detected above 1keV and the source is seen to be ~750 times brighter than the ROSAT All-Sky Survey upper limit at that position. The normally m(V)~16 star, USNO-A2.0 0450-03360039, which lies 3.5" from the X-ray position, was seen in our Magellan data to be very much enhanced in brightness. Our optical spectrum showed emission lines which identified the source as a nova in the auroral phase. Hence this optical source is undoubtedly the progenitor of the X-ray source - a new nova (now also known as V598 Pup). The X-ray spectrum indicates that the nova was in a super-soft state (with kT(eff)~35eV). We estimate the distance to the nova to be ~3kpc. Analysis of archival robotic optical survey data shows a rapid decline light curve consistent with that expected for a very fast nova. The XMM-Newton slew data present a powerful opportunity to find new X-ray transient objects while they are still bright. Here we present the first such source discovered by the analysis of near real-time slew data.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Observations of IGR J00291+5934 in quiescence

We report on optical and X-ray observations of the accretion powered ms pulsar IGR J00291+5934 in quiescence. Time resolved I-band photometry has been obtained with the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope, while a 3 ks Chandra observation provided contemporaneous X-ray coverage. We found an unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV X-ray flux of 1x10^-13 erg cm-2 s-1 which implies that the source was in quiescence at the time of the optical observations. Nevertheless, the optical I-band light curve of IGR J00291+5934 shows evidence for strong flaring. After removal of the strongest flares, we find evidence for an orbital modulation in the phase folded I-band light curve. The overall modulation can be described by effects resulting from the presence of a superhump. Comparing our lightcurve with that reported recently we find evidence for a change in the quiescent base level. Similar changes have now been reported for 4 soft X-ray transients implying that they may be a common feature of such systems in quiescence. Furthermore, the maximum in our folded lightcurve occurs at a different phase than observed before.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Observations of the 599 Hz Accreting X-ray Pulsar IGR J00291+5934 during the 2004 Outburst and in Quiescence

We report on optical and NIR observations obtained during and after the 2004 December discovery outburst of the X-ray transient and accretion-powered millisecond pulsar IGR J00291+5934. Our observations monitored the evolution of the brightness and the spectral properties of J00291 during the outburst decay towards quiescence. We also present optical, NIR and Chandra observations obtained during true quiescence. Photometry of the field during outburst reveals an optical and NIR counterpart that brightened from R~23 to R~17 and from K=19 to K~16. Spectral analysis of the RIJHK broadband photometry shows excess in the NIR bands that may be due to synchrotron emission. The Halpha emission line profile suggests the orbital inclination is ~22-32 degrees. The preferred range for the reddening towards the source is 0.7 < E(B-V) < 0.9, which is equivalent to 4.06E21 cm^-2 < NH < 5.22E21 cm^-2. The Chandra observations of the pulsar in its quiescent state gave an unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV flux for the best-fitting power-law model to the source spectrum of (7.0 +/- 0.9)E-14 ergs/cm^2/s (adopting a hydrogen column of 4.6E21 cm^-2. The fit resulted in a power-law photon index of 2.4 +/- 0.5. The (R-K)o color observed during quiescence supports an irradiated donor star and accretion disk. We estimate a distance of 2 to 4 kpc towards J00291 by using the outburst X-ray light curve and the estimated critical X-ray luminosity necessary to keep the outer parts of the accretion disk ionized. Using the quiescent X-ray luminosity and the spin period, we constrain the magnetic field of the neutron star to be < 3E8 Gauss.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Accurate X-ray position and multiwavelength observations of the isolated neutron star RBS 1774

We report on X-ray, optical, infrared and radio observations of the X-ray dim isolated neutron star (XDINS) 1RXS J214303.7+065419 (also known as RBS 1774). The X-ray observation was performed with the High Resolution Camera on board of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, allowing us to derive the most accurate position for this source (alpha = 21h43m3.38s, delta= +6deg54'17".53; 90% uncertainty of 0."6). Furthermore, we confirmed with a higher spatial accuracy the point-like nature of this X-ray source. Optical and infrared observations were taken in B, V, r', i', J, H and Ks filters using the Keck, VLT, Blanco and Magellan telescopes, while radio observations were obtained from the ATNF Parkes single dish at 2.9GHz and 708MHz. No plausible optical and/or infrared counterpart for RBS 1774 was detected within the refined sub-arsecond Chandra X-ray error circle. Present upper limits to the optical and infrared magnitudes are r'>25.7 and J>22.6 (5 sigma confidence level). Radio observations did not show evidence for radio pulsations down to a luminosity at 1.4 GHz of L < 0.02 mJy kpc^2, the deepest limit up to date for any XDINS, and lower than what expected for the majority of radio pulsars. We can hence conclude that, if RBS 1774 is active as radio pulsar, its non detection is more probably due to a geometrical bias rather than to a luminosity bias. Furthermore, no convincing evidence for RRAT-like radio bursts have been found. Our results on RBS 1774 are discussed and compared with the known properties of other thermally emitting neutron stars and of the radio pulsar population.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

SW Sextantis stars: the dominant population of CVs with orbital periods between 3-4 hours

[Abridged] We present time-series optical photometry of five new CVs identified by the Hamburg Quasar Survey. The eclipses observed in HS 0129+2933, HS 0220+0603, and HS 0455+8315 provided very accurate orbital periods of 3.35129827(65), 3.58098501(34), and 3.56937674(26) h, respectively. HS 0805+3822 shows grazing eclipses and has a likely orbital period of 3.2169(2) h. Time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the new CVs (with the exception of HS 0805+3822) is also presented. Radial velocity studies provided an orbital period of 3.55 h for HS 1813+6122, which allowed us to identify the observed photometric signal at 3.39 h as a negative superhump wave. The spectroscopic behaviour clearly identifies these new CVs as new SW Sextantis stars. These new additions increase the number of known SW Sex stars to 35. Almost 40 per cent of the total SW Sex population do not show eclipses, invalidating the requirement of eclipses as a defining characteristic of the class and the models based on a high orbital inclination geometry alone. On the other hand, the predominance of orbital periods in the narrow 3-4.5 h range is becoming more pronounced. In fact, almost half the CVs which populate the 3-4.5 h period interval are definite members of the class. These statistics are confirmed by our results from the Hamburg Quasar Survey CVs. Remarkably, 54 per cent of the Hamburg nova-like variables have been identified as SW Sex stars with orbital periods in the 3-4.5 h range. The observation of this pile-up of systems close to the upper boundary of the period gap is difficult to reconcile with the standard theory of CV evolution, as the SW Sex stars are believed to have the highest mass transfer rates among CVs. Finally, we review the full range of common properties that the SW Sex stars exhibit.

astro-ph↗