Discovery and Interpretation of an X-Ray Period in the Galactic Center Source CXOGC J174536.1-285638
Abstract
We present X-ray and infrared observations of the X-ray source CXOGC J174536.1-285638. Previous observations suggest that this source may be an accreting binary with a high-mass donor (HMXB) or a colliding wind binary (CWB). Based on the Chandra and XMM-Newton light curve, we have found an apparent 189 +/- 6 day periodicity with better than 99.997% confidence. We discuss several possible causes of this periodicity, including both orbital and superorbital interpretations. We explore in detail the possibility that the X-ray modulation is related to an orbital period and discuss the implications for two scenarios; one in which the variability is caused by obscuration of the X-ray source by a stellar wind, and the other in which it is caused by an eclipse of the X-ray source. We find that in the first case, CXOGC J174536.1-285638 is consistent with both CWB and HMXB interpretations, but in the second, CXOGC J174536.1-285638 is more likely a HMXB.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1086/592593
- Bibcode:
- 2008ApJ...689.1222M
- Keywords:
-
- accretion;
- accretion disks;
- infrared: stars;
- stars: individual: CXOGC J174536.1–2856;
- X-rays: binaries;
- X-rays: stars