scholarly journals Big Game Hunting in the Andromeda Galaxy: Identifying and Weighing Black Holes in Low Mass X-Ray Binaries

2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 71-72
Author(s):  
R. Barnard
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Power Density Spectrum ◽  
Density Spectrum ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractWe have devised a new technique for identifying stellar mass black holes in low mass X-ray binaries, and have applied it to XMM-Newton observations of two X-ray sources in M31. In particular we search for low accretion rate power density spectra; these are very similar for all LMXB, whether the primary is a black hole or a neutron star. Galactic neutron star LMXB exhibit these distinctive PDS at very low luminosities (~ 1036 erg s–1) while black hole LMXB can exhibit them at luminosities > 1038 erg s–1! Following the work of van der Klis (1994), we assume a maximum accretion rate (as a fraction of the Eddington limit) for low accretion rate PDS that is constant for all LMXB, and obtain an empirical value of ~10% Eddington. We have so far discovered two candidate black hole binaries in M31, exhibiting low accretion rate PDS at up to 3 x 1038 and 5 x 1037 erg s–1. If we assume that they are at <10% Eddington, they have minimum masses of 20 and 4 M⊙ respectively. Furthermore, any LMXB exhibiting a low accretion rate power density spectrum at a luminosity > 5 x 1037 erg s–1 is likely to have a black hole primary.

scholarly journals Formation of Low-Mass Black Hole X-Ray Transients

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 775-778
Author(s):  
Simon Portegies Zwart ◽  
Frank Verbunt ◽  
Ene Ergma
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

We study the formation of low-mass X-ray binaries with a black hole as accreting object. The performed semi-analytic analysis reveals that the formation rate of black holes in low-mass X-ray binaries is about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of systems with a neutron star as accretor. This is contradicted by the six observed systems, which are all transients, which suggest that the majority of these systems has not been seen jet. The birthrate for both type of objects are expected to be similar (for reviews see Cowley 1992, Tanaka & Lewin 1995).

scholarly journals The Formation and Evolution of Black-Hole Binaries

1996 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 93-103
Author(s):  
Roger W. Romani
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Black Hole Binaries ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Black Hole Candidates

The presence of accreting black holes (BH) among the X-ray binaries has been recognized for many years. Traditionally, Cyg X-1 and the handful of other candidates have been thought of as cousins of the HMXB neutron star systems. Recent studies of the soft X-ray transients such as A 0620-00 have, however, shown that the dynamical evidence makes these low-mass systems very strong black-hole candidates. Further, analysis of the eventual end-states of various high-mass X-ray binaries suggest that some could end as observable BH-pulsar binaries, although the first such system is yet to be discovered.

scholarly journals A Machine Learning Approach For Classifying Low-mass X-ray Binaries Based On Their Compact Object Nature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pattnaik ◽  
K Sharma ◽  
K Alabarta ◽  
D Altamirano ◽  
M Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Compact Object ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Average Accuracy ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Abstract Low Mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are binary systems where one of the components is either a black hole or a neutron star and the other is a less massive star. It is challenging to unambiguously determine whether a LMXB hosts a black hole or a neutron star. In the last few decades, multiple observational works have tried, with different levels of success, to address this problem. In this paper, we explore the use of machine learning to tackle this observational challenge. We train a random forest classifier to identify the type of compact object using the energy spectrum in the energy range 5-25 keV obtained from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer archive. We report an average accuracy of 87±13% in classifying the spectra of LMXB sources. We further use the trained model for predicting the classes for LMXB systems with unknown or ambiguous classification. With the ever-increasing volume of astronomical data in the X-ray domain from present and upcoming missions (e.g., SWIFT, XMM-Newton, XARM, ATHENA, NICER), such methods can be extremely useful for faster and robust classification of X-ray sources and can also be deployed as part of the data reduction pipeline.

scholarly journals Black hole-like hysteresis and accretion states in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries

2014 ◽  
Vol 443 (4) ◽  
pp. 3270-3283 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Muñoz-Darias ◽  
R. P. Fender ◽  
S. E. Motta ◽  
T. M. Belloni
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

scholarly journals Be/X-Ray Binaries with Black Holes in the Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Ziolkowski
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
Successful Candidate

I will start with the statistics indicating that the objects named in the title of my talk are either non-existing or very elusive to detect (not a single such object is known against 119 known Be/neutron star X-ray binaries). After brief reviewing of the properties of Be/X-ray binaries I discuss several objects that were proposed as the long sought for candidates for Be/black hole X-ray binaries. After three unsuccessful candidates (LS I +61° 303, LS 5039 and MAXI J1836-194), a successful candidate (AGL J2241+4454/MWC 656) was finally, very recently, announced.

scholarly journals On the apparent lack of Be X-ray binaries with black holes in the galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S275) ◽  
pp. 329-330
Author(s):  
Janusz Ziółkowski ◽  
Krzysztof Belczyński
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Stellar Population Synthesis ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractIn the Galaxy there are 67 Be X-ray binaries known to-date. Out of those, 45 host a neutron star, and for the reminder the nature of a companion is not known. None, so far, is known to host a black hole. This disparity is referred to as a missing Be – black hole X-ray binary problem. The stellar population synthesis calculations following the formation of Be X-ray binaries (Belczyński & Ziółkowski 2009) predict that the ratio of the binaries with neutron stars to the ones with black holes is rather high FNS/BH ~ 30–50. A comparison of this ratio with the number of confirmed Be – neutron star X-ray binaries (45) indicates that the expected number of Be – black hole X-ray binaries is of the order of only ~0–2. This is entirely consistent with the observed Galactic sample. Therefore, there is no problem of the missing Be+BH X-Ray Binaries for the GalaxyIn the Magellanic Clouds there are 94 Be X-ray binaries known to-date. Out of those, 60 host a neutron star. Again, none hosts a black hole. The stellar population synthesis calculations carried out specifically for the Magellanic Clouds (Ziółkowski & Belczyński 2010) predict that the ratio of the Be X-ray binaries with neutron stars to the ones with black holes is only FNS/BH ~ 10. This value is rather too low, as it implies the expected number of Be+BH X-ray binaries of the order of ~6, while none is observed. We found, that to remove the discrepancy, one has to take into account a different history of the star formation rate in the Magellanic Clouds, with the respect to the Galaxy. New stellar population synthesis calculations are currently being carried out.

scholarly journals Evolution of binaries with compact objects in globular clusters

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S312) ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Natalia Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Compact Objects ◽  
Stellar Systems ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractDynamical interactions that take place between objects in dense stellar systems lead to frequent formation of exotic stellar objects, unusual binaries, and systems of higher multiplicity. They are most important for the formation of binaries with neutron stars and black holes, which are usually observationally revealed in mass-transferring binaries. Here we review the current understanding of compact object's retention, of the metallicity dependence on the formation of low-mass X-ray binaries with neutron stars, and how mass-transferring binaries with a black hole and a white dwarf can be formed. We discuss as well one old unsolved puzzle and two new puzzles posed by recent observations: what descendants do ultra-compact X-ray binaries produce, how are very compact triples formed, and how can black hole low-mass X-ray binaries acquire non-degenerate companions?

QUASI PERIODIC OSCILLATIONS IN X-RAY NEUTRON STAR AND PROBES OF PERIHELION PRECESSION OF GENERAL RELATIVITY

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 503-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. ZHANG
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Harmonic Frequency ◽  
Periodic Oscillations ◽  
Perihelion Precession ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Outer Disk ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries

We ascribe the twin kilohertz Quasi Periodic Oscillations (kHz QPOs) of X-ray spectra of Low Mass X-Ray Binaries (LMXBs) to the pseudo-Newtonian Keplerian frequency and the apogee and perigee precession frequency of the same matter in the inner disk, and ascribe 15–60 Hz QPO (HBO) to the apogee (or perigee) precession and its second harmonic frequency to both apogee and perigee precession in the outer disk boundary of the neutron star (NS) magnetosphere. The radii of the inner and outer disks are correlated each other by a factor of two is assumed. The obtained conclusions include: all QPO frequencies increase and frequency difference of twin kHz QPOs decreases with increasing the accretion rate. The obtained theoretical relations between HBO frequency and twin kHz QPOs are simlilar to the measured empirical formula. Further, the theo-retical formula to calculate the NS mass by the twin kHz QPOs is proposed, and the resultant values are in the range of 1.4 to 1.8 M⊙. QPOs from LMXBs likely provide an accurate laboratory for a strong gravitational field, by which a new method to determine the NS masses of LMXBs is suggested.

scholarly journals Variability of winds in X-ray binaries

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S290) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
M. Díaz Trigo ◽  
L. Boirin ◽  
S. Migliari ◽  
J. Miller-Jones ◽  
A. Parmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Column Density ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
X Ray Binaries ◽  
The Continuum

AbstractWe discuss the variability of winds in two low-mass X-ray binaries, GX 13+1 and 4U 1630-47. XMM-Newton observations of these sources show that strong, photoionised winds with column densities well above 1022 cm−2 can be present in both neutron star and black hole LMXBs. Such winds can fade significantly due to changes in the flux or spectral hardness of the continuum. In particular, a decrease of column density and/or an increase of ionisation are measured when the flux increases or the spectrum hardens. We show how variability studies can help us to understand what triggers changes in the wind and discuss the limitations of current instruments for such studies.

scholarly journals Evidence for a Compact Object in the Aftermath of the Extra-Galactic Transient AT2018cow

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Pasham ◽  
Wynn Ho ◽  
William Alston ◽  
Ronald Remillard ◽  
Mason Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Compact Object ◽  
Compact Objects ◽  
Power Density Spectrum ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Density Spectrum ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Circumstellar Medium

Abstract Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs) are mysterious extragalactic explosions that may represent a new class of astrophysical phenomena. Their fast time to maximum brightness of less than 10 days and decline over less than 2 months and unusual optical spectra and evolution are difficult to explain within the context of core-collapse of massive stars which are powered by radioactive decay of Nickel-56 and evolve slowly on months timescales. AT2018cow (at a redshift of 0.014) is an extreme FBOT both in terms of rapid evolution and high X-ray and bolometric luminosities. Several alternative hypotheses have been proposed to explain its unusual properties. These include shock interactions with dense circumstellar medium, tidal disruption of a star by a 10,000−million solar mass black hole, failed supernova with fallback accretion onto a newborn black hole, neutron star formed in a supernova or from merging compact objects, etc. Here, we present evidence for a high-amplitude (fractional root-mean-squared amplitude of>30%) quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) of AT2018cow’s soft X-rays with a centroid frequency of roughly 225 Hz (statistically significant at the 3.7-sigma level, or a false alarm probability of 0.02%). This signal is found in the average power density spectrum of data taken over the entire outburst lasting roughly 60 days and thus suggests that the signal is highly persistent over several hundreds of millions of cycles (60 daysx225 Hz). This high frequency (rapid timescale) of 225 Hz (4.4 ms) argues for the presence of a compact object in AT2018cow which can either be a neutron star or a black hole, and disfavors circumstellar medium interactions for the origin of X-ray emission. Also, the QPO’s timescale sets an upper limit on the compact object's mass to be 850 solar masses, and thus disfavors models with a heavier black hole. If the QPO represents the spin period of a neutron star we can set upper limits on its magnetic field under different scenarios. This work highlights a new way of using high time-resolution X-ray observations to study FBOTs.

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