LS 5039 / RX J1826.2-1450: A Young Pulsar?
Abstract
Recent XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the high mass X-ray binary LS 5039 / RX J1826.2-1450 caught the source in a faint X-ray state. In contrast with previous Rossi-XTE observations, we fail to detect any evidence of iron line emission. We also fail to detect X-ray pulsations. The X-ray spectrum can be well fitted by a simple powerlaw, slightly harder than in previous observations, and does not require the presence of any additional disk or blackbody component. XMM-Newton data imply a X-ray photoelectric absorption consistent with optical reddening (NH ~ 7 × 1021 cm-2), indicating that no strong local absorption occurs. Among the possible source emission mechanisms and hypotheses on the nature of the compact object, a young pulsar scenario may be the most appropriate.
- Publication:
-
Interacting Binaries: Accretion, Evolution, and Outcomes
- Pub Date:
- October 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.2130290
- Bibcode:
- 2005AIPC..797..581M
- Keywords:
-
- X-ray binary stars;
- pulsars;
- X-ray photoelectron spectra;
- 97.80.Jp;
- 97.60.Gb;
- 98.70.Qy;
- X-ray binaries;
- Pulsars;
- X-ray sources;
- X-ray bursts