The Double Infrared Source toward the Soft Gamma-Ray Repeater SGR 1900+14
Abstract
We report the results of an extensive set of optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the double infrared source reported by Hartmann et al. (1995) as a potential counterpart for the Galactic soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14. These objects are found to be variable but otherwise normal MS supergiant stars at a distance of ≈12-15 kpc and extinguished by Av ≈ 19.2 mag, primarily by the general interstellar medium. We argue that the supergiants are likely gravitationally bound. These stars are positionally coincident with both quiescent X-ray and IRAS sources, suggestive of a yet-undetected third component to the system which may be responsible for the SGR.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1086/177685
- Bibcode:
- 1996ApJ...468..225V
- Keywords:
-
- GAMMA RAYS: BURSTS;
- GAMMA RAYS: OBSERVATIONS;
- STARS: SUPERGIANTS