arXiv subjects

Pedro L. Luque-Escamilla

Publications and source records attributed to Pedro L. Luque-Escamilla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The unidentified PeV source LHAASO J2108+5157: A microquasar remnant?

Context. LHAASO~J2108+5157 is one of the most intriguing Galactic ultra-high-energy $γ$-ray sources. It is detected up to hundreds of TeV but lacks a clear counterpart at lower frequencies. Fermi-LAT observations have revealed a compact GeV source spatially coincident with the PeV emission, while VERITAS and LST-1 impose stringent upper limits in the intermediate TeV band, producing a pronounced spectral suppression between the GeV and TeV domains. Aims. We investigate a time-dependent hadronic scenario in which a past episode of microquasar jet activity injected relativistic protons that are now observed in a relic phase. Methods. Energy-dependent diffusion naturally segregates the particle population: Lower-energy protons remain confined near dense molecular gas and account for the GeV emission, whereas higher-energy particles reach more distant material, producing the hard TeV--PeV component. Results. For representative interstellar conditions, the model is simultaneously consistent with the broadband spectral energy distribution, the spatial compact--extended dichotomy, and the lack of detectable radio or X-ray counterparts. Conclusions. The observed bimodal $γ$-ray phenomenology thus emerges as a transport effect of a single injected proton population, supporting the interpretation of LHAASO~J2108+5157 as a fossil microquasar remnant observed at an intermediate evolutionary stage and highlighting relic jet systems as a viable class of Galactic PeVatrons.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A Galactic microblazar as a potential accelerator of ultra-high-energy particles

Context. Persistent jets from X-ray binaries which are aligned very close to the line of sight could be considered to be Galactic equivalents of blazars, or 'microblazars'. They are also expected to power gamma-ray sources. Aims. We intend to assess a serious candidate apparently fulfilling many of the requirements to be considered a genuine member of this class: IRAS 18293-0941. Methods. An intense multi-wavelength observational and theoretical study has been carried out on our proposed candidate source. Results. With photometric and spectroscopic properties typical of a binary star, this system exhibits clear collimated and one-sided radio emission matching the effects of relativistic motion along a reduced ejection angle. Only fast variability is not observed possibly smoothed by a dense circumstellar envelope. A physical scenario is consistently modeled that also gives credibility to its likely connection with LHAASO J1831-1007u*, an ultra-high-energy source in its immediate vicinity. Conclusions. Our reported identification not only helps to fill a gap in Galactic taxonomy, but also potentially strengthens the role of the microblazar and microquasar families in our understanding of the most energetic Milky Way phenomena.

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arXiv2026

Constraints on cyclotron features and accretion regime in the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 1700-37 from NuSTAR

4U 1700-37 is a wind-fed high-mass X-ray binary hosting a compact object, likely a neutron star, accreting from O6.5 Iaf+ supergiant HD 153919. Coherent pulsations not firmly detected; magnetic field strength remains uncertain. We analyze NuSTAR observations to characterize hard X-ray timing and spectral properties, test robustness of candidate cyclotron features, and constrain magnetic field and accretion regime. We perform timing and spectral analysis of two observations, modeling spectra with continua used for accreting pulsars, and use simulations to assess significance of features. No coherent pulsations detected; pulsed fraction constrained below 1.5\%. Spectra are well described by absorbed blackbody plus cutoff power-law continuum, showing residuals around 20 keV and 40--50 keV. Features improve fits but do not constitute firm cyclotron detections. Intensity-resolved spectroscopy suggests possible shifts of apparent line centroid. Results favor neutron-star magnetic field of 1.7--4.4 $\times 10^{12}$ G and quasi-spherical subsonic accretion regime with equilibrium spin period $\sim 1.9$ ks. Analysis provides quantitative constraints on magnetic field and accretion physics, helping reconcile discrepant line-energy measurements.

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arXiv2026

Unmasking LHAASO J2108+5157: Near Infrared Insights into a Mysterious TeV Source

LHAASO J2108+5157 is one of the few ultra-high energy gamma-ray sources in the LHAASO catalogue without secure counterpart at longer wavelengths. Several Galactic scenarios have been proposed, including an evolved supernova remnant and a pulsar wind nebula. Yet, no shocked gas, shell-like structure, or compact pulsar candidate has been identified. Follow-up observations with VERITAS and the LST-1 prototype have not firmly clarified its nature. A recent microquasar candidate from GMRT radio data remains uncertain. Here we present the first dedicated near-infrared study of the field, combining deep JHKs imaging with narrow band observations targeting the H2 v=1-0 S(1) line. Our observations were initially planned to encompass the full source region, but now only partially cover the latest updated position and size of LHAASO J2108+5157. We find no evidence of shocked emission, extended nebular structures, or an accreting compact object signature in the covered field. The GMRT radio source, despite its jet-like morphology, exhibits near-infrared properties incompatible with both a Galactic microquasar and a nearby radio galaxy, discouraging an association with the gamma-ray emission. Our analysis reveals no convincing counterpart consistent within the positional uncertainty, leaving LHAASO J2108+5157 as an enigmatic ultra-high energy emitter that requires deeper observations.

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arXiv2024

A radio loud semiregular variable

As a byproduct of our search for Galactic stellar systems with gamma-ray emission, we have identified an unrelated cool and evolved star (IRC-10412) that attracted our attention due to its strong radio emission level with a spectral index matching, almost perfectly, the canonical +0.6 value expected from an ionized stellar wind. A follow-up observational analysis was undertaken given that these two properties are hard to reconcile as originating in the same stellar object. As a result, IRC-10412 has been classified as a new semiregular variable of SRb type in the asymptotic giant branch, and different but consistent estimates of its mass-loss parameter are reported. We propose that its unusually high radio emission arises from a ~ 1E-5 Msun/yr stellar wind exposed to an external source of ionizing photons, possibly coming from nearby OB associations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

A runaway T-Tauri star leaving an extended trail

Aims. We address the problem of young stellar objects that are found too far away from possible star formation sites. Different mechanisms have been proposed before to explain this unexpected circumstance. The idea of high-velocity protostars is one of these mechanisms, although observational support is not always easy to obtain. We aim to shed light on this issue after the serendipitous discovery of a related stellar system. Methods. Following the inspection of archival infrared data, a peculiar anonymous star was found that apparently heads a long tail that resembles a wake-like feature. We conducted a multiwavelength analysis including photometry, astrometry, and spectroscopy. Together with theoretical physical considerations, this approach provided a reasonable knowledge of the stellar age and kinematic properties, together with compelling indications that the extended feature is indeed the signature of a high-velocity, or runaway, newborn star. Results. Our main result is the discovery of a low-mass young stellar object that fits the concept of a runaway T-Tauri star that was hypothesized several decades ago. In this peculiar star, nicknamed UJT-1, the interaction of the stellar wind with the surrounding medium becomes extreme. Under reasonable assumptions, this unusual degree of interaction has the potential to encode the mass-loss history of the star on timescales of several $10^5$ years

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arXiv2023

Relativistic X-Ray Reflection and Photoionised Absorption in the Neutron-Star Low-Mass X-ray Binary GX 13+1

We analysed a dedicated NuSTAR observation of the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary Z-source GX 13+1 to study the timing and spectral properties of the source. From the colour-colour diagram, we conclude that during that observation the source transitioned from the normal branch to the flaring branch. We fitted the spectra of the source in each branch with a model consisting of an accretion disc, a Comptonised blackbody, relativistic reflection (relxillNS), and photo-ionised absorption (warmabs). Thanks to the combination of the large effective area and good energy resolution of NuSTAR at high energies, we found evidence of relativistic reflection in both the Fe K line profile, and the Compton hump present in the 10--25 keV energy range. The inner disc radius is $R_{\rm in} \lesssim 9.6~r_g$, which allowed us to further constrain the magnetic field strength to $B \lesssim 1.8 \times 10^8$ G. We also found evidence for the presence of a hot wind leading to photo-ionised absorption of Fe and Ni, with a Ni overabundance of $\sim$6 times solar. From the spectral fits, we find that the distance between the ionising source and the slab of ionised absorbing material is $\sim 4-40 \times 10^5$ km. We also found that the width of the boundary layer extends $\sim$3 km above the surface of a neutron star, which yielded a neutron-star radius $R_{\rm NS}\lesssim 16$ km. The scenario inferred from the spectral modelling becomes self-consistent only for high electron densities in the accretion disk, $n_e \sim 10^{22}-10^{23}$ cm$^{-3}$, as expected for a Shakura-Sunyaev disc, and significantly above the densities provided by relxillNS models. These results have implications for our understanding of the physical conditions in GX 13+1.

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arXiv2022

A blazar candidate for the Fermi source 4FGL J1848.7-0129

The Fermi source 4FGL J1848.7-0129 has been historically related to the globular cluster GLIMPSE-C01 since its very first detection. Although this association is widely accepted, as it appears in the most recent Fermi catalog, it deserves to be revisited given the multi-wavelength evidences and the recent discovery of variable X-ray sources in the Fermi source region. In particular, low frequency radio maps from the Giant Metre Radio Telescope in Pune (India) have been carefully inspected which, together with X-ray data re-analysis from Chandra, lead us to get a deep insight into the candidates to be associated to 4FGL J1848.7-0129. This results in the discovery of a new X-ray variable point source coincident with an unreported non-thermal radio emitter, both of them well inside the 4FGL J1848.7-0129 error ellipse. We analyze and discuss all these observational facts, and we propose now a newly discovered blazar candidate as the most promising responsible for the gamma ray emission in the Fermi source. If confirmed, this result would set constrains on the number of millisecond pulsars in GLIMPSE-C01 or their gamma-ray emission properties.

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arXiv2022

Optical microflares in LS I +61 303 and the search for their multiwavelength counterpart

Stellar sources of gamma rays are one of the front lines in modern astrophysics whose understanding can benefit from observational tools not originally designed for their study. We take advantage of the high precision photometric capabilities of present-day space facilities to obtain a new perspective on the optical behavior of the X-ray and gamma-ray binary LS I +61 303. Previously unknown phenomena whose effects manifest with amplitudes below 0.01 magnitude can now be clearly observed and studied. Our work is mainly based on the analysis of optical and gamma-ray archival data and uses the tools recommended by the different collaborations that provide these valuable observational resources (in particular, the TESS and Fermi orbiting observatories). In addition, complementary ground-based optical spectroscopy has also been conducted. We report the discovery of small-amplitude optical flares on timescales of a day in the LS I +61 303 light curve. Different alternative scenarios to explain their origin are tentatively proposed.

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arXiv2021

Orbital and sub-orbital period determination of the candidate high-mass X-ray binary HD 3191

The final aim of this paper is to expand the sparse group of X-ray binaries with gamma-ray counterparts as laboratories to study high-energy processes under physical conditions that periodically repeat. A follow-up of a candidate system has been carried out. We applied both photometric and spectroscopic techniques in the optical domain together with a period analysis using the phase dispersion minimization and CLEAN methods. A tentative period search was also conducted in the gamma-ray domain. Our main result is having established the binary nature of the optical star and X-ray emitter HD 3191 towards the Fermi gamma-ray source 4FGL J0035.8+6131, the last one proposed to be associated with a blazar of an unknown type. An orbital period close to 16 days is reported for HD 3191 together with a likely rotation, or pulsation, period of about 0.6 d. Although no convincing evidence for the orbital cycle has been found in the Fermi light curve up to now, the confirmed presence of a high-mass X-ray binary towards 4FGL J0035.8+6131 now strengthens the need for caution about its true nature.

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arXiv2020

Effects of precession versus instabilities on the jets of GRS 1758-258

Aims. The prototypical microquasar GRS 1758-258 exhibits large-scale morphological changes in radio maps over time which have been attributed to the rise of instabilities. Here, we investigate whether these effects could be attributed to jet precession instead. Methods.We used new and archival radio maps to fit a kinematic jet precession model. The value of the parameters thus obtained were analysed in order to get constraints on the physical properties of the GRS 1758-258 system. Their consistency with different theories of the origins for the jet precession, such as Lense-Thirring effect and tidal torques induced by the secondary star, has previously been studied. Alternatively, we also assessed the possibility that observations are compatible with eventual jet instabilities. Results. The new radio data presented here confirm that the large-scale radio morphology of GRS 1758-258 is changing over time. Our study shows that the 18.48 day period could plausibly be ascribed to precession, thus implying a reinterpretation of assumptions made for the orbital period to date. However, the observed structural changes in radio jets cannot be easily attributed to jet precession according to our analysis. In contrast, the growth of instabilities certainly appears to be a more realistic explanation of these effects.

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arXiv2020

A blazar as the likely counterpart to 4FGL J0647.7-4418 instead of a gamma-ray binary

The persistent gamma-ray source 4FGL J0647.7-4418 is tentatively associated in the latest Fermi catalogue with the sub-dwarf O-type X-ray binary HD 49798. However, an AGN candidate is also mentioned as an alternative identification in updated versions of the catalogue accompanying paper. If the first association were correct, this would add HD 49798 to the handful of currently known gamma-ray binaries and, therefore, represent a significant breakthrough not only because of a new member addition, but also because of the apparent white dwarf companion in this system. Despite these perspectives, here we show that the stellar association is likely wrong and that the proposed AGN object, well inside the Fermi 95% confidence ellipse, is a more conceivable counterpart candidate to the Fermi source due to its strong blazar similarities.

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arXiv2018

The radio jets of SS 433 at millimetre wavelengths

Context. SS 433 is historically a well-known microquasar in the Galaxy that has been deeply studied during the four decades elapsed since its discovery. However, observations at very high radio frequencies with good angular resolution are still very scarce in the literature. The present paper tries to partially fill this gap using archival data of the source obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). Aims. We aim to study the SS 433 jet properties at radio frequencies corresponding to millimetre wavelengths where the synchrotron emitting particles are expected to lose their energy much faster than at lower frequencies of centimetre wavelengths. Results. A resolved view of the SS 433 radio core and jets is presented. In addition to spectral index and magnetic field measurements, we are able to estimate the age of the oldest visible ejecta still radiating significantly at millimetre wavelengths. By combining our findings with those of previous authors at lower frequencies, we confirm that the energy loss of the radiating electrons is dominated by adiabatic expansion instead of synchrotron radiative losses. In addition, we find suggestive evidence for the previously proposed period of slowed expansion within the first months of the ejecta flow, needed to simultaneously match the radiative lifetime observed in the centimetre domain. Our results argue for the need for future coordinated millimetre and centimetre interferometric observations with good time sampling throughout the SS 433 precessional cycle to better understand energetic processes in stellar relativistic jets.

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arXiv2018

GRS 1758-258: the first winged microquasar

The family links between radio galaxies and microquasars have been strongly strengthened thanks to a new common phenomenon: the presence of extended winged features. The first detection of such structures in a Galactic microquasar, recently reported in Nature Communications (http://rdcu.be/zgX8), widens the already known analogy between both kinds of outflow sources (Martí et al. 2017). This observational result also has potential implications affecting the black hole merger scenarios that contribute to the gravitational wave background.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Peculiar objects towards 3FGL J0133.3+5930: an eclipsing Be star and an active galactic nucleus

Aims. We aim to contribute to the identification of unassociated gamma-ray sources in the galactic plane in order to enlarge the currently known population of gamma-ray binaries and related systems, such as radio emitting X-ray binaries and microquasars. These objects are currently regarded as excellent test beds for the understanding of high energy phenomena in stellar systems. Methods. Potential targets of study are selected based on cross-identification of the 3rd Fermi Large Area Telescope catalogue with historical catalogues of luminous stars often found as optical counterparts in known cases. Follow-up observations and analysis of multi-wavelength archival data are later used to seek further proofs of association beyond the simple positional agreement. Results. Current results enable us to present here the case of the Fermi source 3FGL J0133.3+5930 where two peculiar objects have been discovered inside its region of uncertainty. One of them is the star TYC 3683-985-1 (LS I +59 79) whose eclipsing binary nature is reported in this work. The other one is the X-ray source SWIFT J0132.9+5932, that we found to be a likely low-power Active Galactic Nucleus at z = 0:1143 \pm 0:0002. If this second object is of blazar type, it could easily account for the observed gamma-ray photon flux. However, this is not confirmed at present, thus rendering still open the star system TYC 3683-985-1 as an alternative counterpart candidate to the Fermi source.

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arXiv2016

Optical spectroscopy of the microquasar GRS 1758-258: a possible intermediate mass system?

Context. GRS 1758-258 is one of two prototypical microquasars towards the Galactic Center direction discovered almost a quarter of a century ago. The system remains poorly studied in the optical domain due to its counterpart being a very faint and absorbed target in a crowded region of the sky. Aims. Our aim is to investigate GRS 1758-258 in order to shed light on the nature of the stellar binary components. In particular, the main physical parameters of the donor star, such as the mass or the spectral type, are not yet well constrained. Methods. GRS 1758-258 has remained so far elusive to optical spectroscopy owing to its observational difficulties. Here, we use this traditional tool of stellar astronomy at low spectral resolution with a 10 m class telescope and a long slit spectrograph. Results. An improved spectrum is obtained as compared to previous work. The quality of the data does not allow the detection of emission or absorption features but, nevertheless, we manage to partially achieve our aims comparing the de-reddened continuum with the spectral energy distribution expected from an irradiated disc model and different donor star templates. Conclusions. We tentatively propose that GRS 1758-258 does not host a giant star companion. Instead, a main sequence star with mid-A spectral type appears to better agree with our data. The main impacts of this finding are the possibility that we are dealing with an intermediate mass system and, in this case, the prediction of an orbital period significantly shorter than previously proposed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Multi-colour optical photometry of V404 Cygni in outburst

Context. This observational paper has been prepared in the context of the large multi-wavelength effort by many observers with the aim of following up the transient flaring event of V404 Cygni that took place for several weeks in 2015 June. Aims. Our main original aim was to contribute to the study of this transient source by acquiring broad-band photometric observations during its most active flaring phases. Nevertheless, after a detailed analysis of the data, several interesting results were obtained that encouraged a dedicated publication. Methods. The methodology used was based on broad-band differential CCD photometry. This outburst of V404 Cygni rendered the source a very bright target easily within reach of small educational telescopes. Therefore, the 41 cm telescope available at the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Jaén was used in this work. Results. We detected variability at different time scales, both in amplitude and colour. Individual optical flares appear every half hour on average during our 3 h long observation, although large-amplitude (\sim 1 mag) variations are also observed to occur on intervals as short as 10 minutes. Also, colour variations appear to be highly correlated in a colour-colour diagram. Another remarkable finding is the detection of time lag, from about one to a fraction of a minute between light curves in different filters (VRcIc). Conclusions. The observed behaviour is tentatively interpreted in an scenario based on the ejection of non-thermal emitting, relativistic plasmons, with their synchrotron spectra extending up to optical wavelengths. This would render some of the V404 Cygni flares very similar to those of the well-know microquasar GRS 1915+105

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arXiv2015

The precessing jets of 1E 1740.7-2942

Context. 1E 1740.7-2942 is believed to be one of the two prototypical microquasars towards the Galactic center region whose X-ray states strongly resemble those of Cygnus X-1. Yet, the bipolar radio jets of 1E 1740.7-2942 are very reminiscent of a radio galaxy. The true nature of the object has thus remained an open question for nearly a quarter of a century. Aims. Our main goal here is to confirm the Galactic membership of 1E 1740.7-2942 by searching for morphological changes of its extended radio jets in human timescales. This work was triggered as a result of recent positive detection of fast structural changes in the large-scale jets of its 'twin' GRS 1758-258. Methods. We carried out an in-depth exploration of the VLA public archives and fully recalibrated all 1E 1740.7-2942 extended data sets in the C configuration of the array. We obtained and analyzed matching beam radio maps for five epochs, covering years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997 and 2000, with an angular resolution of a few arcseconds. Results. We clearly detected structural changes in the arcminute jets of 1E 1740.7-2942 on timescales of roughly a year, which set a firm distance upper limit of 12 kpc. Moreover, a simple precessing model was simultaneously fitted to the five observing epochs available. The observed changes in the jet flow are strongly suggestive of a precession period of ~1.3 years. Conclusions. The fitting of the precession model to the data yields a distance of ~5 kpc. This value, and the observed changes, rule out any remaining doubts about the 1E 1740.7-2942 Galactic nature. To our knowledge, this microquasar is the second whose jet precession ephemeris become available after SS433. This kind of information is relevant to the physics of compact objects, since the genesis of the precession phenomenon occurs very close to the interplay region between the accretion disk and the compact object in the system.

astro-ph.HE↗