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The peculiar high-mass x-ray binary 1ES 1210-646

The peculiar high-mass x-ray binary 1ES 1210-646
The peculiar high-mass x-ray binary 1ES 1210-646
Using data collected with the BeppoSAX, INTEGRAL and Swift satellites, we report and discuss the results of a study on the X-ray emission properties of the X-ray source 1ES 1210-646, recently classified as a high-mass X-ray binary through optical spectroscopy. This is the first in-depth analysis of the X-ray spectral characteristics of this source. We found that the flux of 1ES 1210-646 varies by a factor of ~3 on a timescale of hundreds of seconds and by a factor of at least 10 among observations acquired over a time span of several months.

The X-ray spectrum of 1ES 1210-646 is described using a simple powerlaw shape or, in the case of INTEGRAL data, with a blackbody plus powerlaw model. Spectral variability is found in connection with different flux levels of the source. A strong and transient iron emission line with an energy of ~6.7 keV and an equivalent width of ~1.6 keV is detected when the source is found at an intermediate flux level. The line strength seems to be tied to the orbital motion of the accreting object, as this feature is only apparent at the periastron.

Although the X-ray spectral description we find for the 1ES 1210-646 emission is quite atypical for a high-mass X-ray binary, the multiwavelegth information available for this object leads us to confirm this classification. The results presented here allow us instead to definitely rule out the possibility that 1ES 1210-646 is a (magnetic) cataclysmic variable as proposed previously and, in a broader sense, a white dwarf nature for the accretor is disfavoured. X-ray spectroscopic data actually suggest a neutron star with a low magnetic field as the accreting object in this system.
binaries, general, x-rays, stars, neutron, techniques, spectroscopic, individuals, 1ES 1210-646
0004-6361
A48-A56
Masetti, N.
78166fad-2a82-4de5-9359-25706c0a6e2f
Landi, R.
b8243478-d7a1-4774-8a66-4158a65a33d3
Sguera, V.
371bb568-7e56-496e-a624-dba6de79d9e1
Capitanio, F.
573142d2-8f35-4c9e-830e-6b988fec31d6
Bassani, L.
07e5602c-f97e-4334-a0fa-c2212431a61a
Bazzano, A.
8eef0c6e-1a5f-4bcd-a034-9a5c3b29104d
Bird, A.J.
045ee141-4720-46fd-a412-5aa848a91b32
Malizia, A.
efa63850-cf26-482c-ae3b-54b0c8fb8a87
Palazzi, E.
e9674d6b-8d34-4c1d-8ec0-0dd82392f18b
Masetti, N.
78166fad-2a82-4de5-9359-25706c0a6e2f
Landi, R.
b8243478-d7a1-4774-8a66-4158a65a33d3
Sguera, V.
371bb568-7e56-496e-a624-dba6de79d9e1
Capitanio, F.
573142d2-8f35-4c9e-830e-6b988fec31d6
Bassani, L.
07e5602c-f97e-4334-a0fa-c2212431a61a
Bazzano, A.
8eef0c6e-1a5f-4bcd-a034-9a5c3b29104d
Bird, A.J.
045ee141-4720-46fd-a412-5aa848a91b32
Malizia, A.
efa63850-cf26-482c-ae3b-54b0c8fb8a87
Palazzi, E.
e9674d6b-8d34-4c1d-8ec0-0dd82392f18b

Masetti, N., Landi, R., Sguera, V., Capitanio, F., Bassani, L., Bazzano, A., Bird, A.J., Malizia, A. and Palazzi, E. (2010) The peculiar high-mass x-ray binary 1ES 1210-646. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 511, A48-A56. (doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200913404).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Using data collected with the BeppoSAX, INTEGRAL and Swift satellites, we report and discuss the results of a study on the X-ray emission properties of the X-ray source 1ES 1210-646, recently classified as a high-mass X-ray binary through optical spectroscopy. This is the first in-depth analysis of the X-ray spectral characteristics of this source. We found that the flux of 1ES 1210-646 varies by a factor of ~3 on a timescale of hundreds of seconds and by a factor of at least 10 among observations acquired over a time span of several months.

The X-ray spectrum of 1ES 1210-646 is described using a simple powerlaw shape or, in the case of INTEGRAL data, with a blackbody plus powerlaw model. Spectral variability is found in connection with different flux levels of the source. A strong and transient iron emission line with an energy of ~6.7 keV and an equivalent width of ~1.6 keV is detected when the source is found at an intermediate flux level. The line strength seems to be tied to the orbital motion of the accreting object, as this feature is only apparent at the periastron.

Although the X-ray spectral description we find for the 1ES 1210-646 emission is quite atypical for a high-mass X-ray binary, the multiwavelegth information available for this object leads us to confirm this classification. The results presented here allow us instead to definitely rule out the possibility that 1ES 1210-646 is a (magnetic) cataclysmic variable as proposed previously and, in a broader sense, a white dwarf nature for the accretor is disfavoured. X-ray spectroscopic data actually suggest a neutron star with a low magnetic field as the accreting object in this system.

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More information

Published date: 5 March 2010
Keywords: binaries, general, x-rays, stars, neutron, techniques, spectroscopic, individuals, 1ES 1210-646

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 144763
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/144763
ISSN: 0004-6361
PURE UUID: c6b9b9ca-909e-404d-abea-f9a6fafb9dc3
ORCID for A.J. Bird: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-8937

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 24 May 2010 13:33
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:36

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Contributors

Author: N. Masetti
Author: R. Landi
Author: V. Sguera
Author: F. Capitanio
Author: L. Bassani
Author: A. Bazzano
Author: A.J. Bird ORCID iD
Author: A. Malizia
Author: E. Palazzi

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