The transient neutron star X-ray binary KS 1741-293 in outburst and quiescence

KS 1741-293 is a transient neutron star low-mass X-ray binary that is located at an angular distance of ~=20' from the Galactic center. We map out the historic activity of the source since its discovery in 1989, characterize its most recent X-ray outbursts observed with Swift (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011), and discuss its quiescent X-ray properties using archival Chandra data. KS 1741-293 is frequently active, exhibiting outbursts that typically reach a 2-10 keV luminosity of L_X ~= 10³⁶ (D/6.2 kpc)² erg s^-1 and last for several weeks-months. However, Swift also captured a very short and weak accretion outburst that had a duration of <~4 days and did not reach above L_X ~= 5×10³⁴ (D/6.2 kpc)² erg s^-1. The source is detected in quiescence with Chandra at a 2-10 keV luminosity of L_X ~= 2.5×10³² (D/6.2 kpc)² erg s^-1.