On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI camelopardalis

T. Belloni; S. Dieters; M. E. Van Den Ancker; R. P. Fender; D. W. Fox; B. A. Harmon; M. Van Der Klis; J. M. Kommers; W. H.G. Lewin; J. Van Paradijs

doi:10.1086/308055

On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI camelopardalis

T. Belloni, S. Dieters, M. E. Van Den Ancker, R. P. Fender, D. W. Fox, B. A. Harmon, M. Van Der Klis, J. M. Kommers, W. H.G. Lewin, J. Van Paradijs

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Abstract

We present the results of an analysis of RXTE, BATSE, and optical/infrared data of the 1998 outburst of the X-ray transient system XTE J0421 + 560 (CI Cam). The X-ray outburst shows a very fast decay (initial e-folding time ∼0.5 days, slowing down to ∼2.3 days). The X-ray spectrum in the 2-25 keV band is complex, softening considerably during decay and with strongly variable intrinsic absorption. A strong iron emission line is observed. No fast time variability is detected (<0.5% rms in the 1-4096 Hz band at the outburst peak). The analysis of the optical/IR data suggests that the secondary is a B[e] star surrounded by cool dust, and places the system at a distance of ≳2 kpc. At this distance, the peak at 2-25 keV luminosity is ∼4 × 10³⁷ ergs s^-1. We compare the properties of this peculiar system with those of the Be/NS LMC transient A 0538-66 and suggest that CI Cam is of similar nature. The presence of strong radio emission during outburst indicates that the compact object is likely to be a black hole or a weakly magnetized neutron star.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	345-352
Number of pages	8
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	527
Issue number	1 PART 1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/308055
State	Published - Dec 10 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/308055

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title = "On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI camelopardalis",

abstract = "We present the results of an analysis of RXTE, BATSE, and optical/infrared data of the 1998 outburst of the X-ray transient system XTE J0421 + 560 (CI Cam). The X-ray outburst shows a very fast decay (initial e-folding time ∼0.5 days, slowing down to ∼2.3 days). The X-ray spectrum in the 2-25 keV band is complex, softening considerably during decay and with strongly variable intrinsic absorption. A strong iron emission line is observed. No fast time variability is detected (<0.5% rms in the 1-4096 Hz band at the outburst peak). The analysis of the optical/IR data suggests that the secondary is a B[e] star surrounded by cool dust, and places the system at a distance of ≳2 kpc. At this distance, the peak at 2-25 keV luminosity is ∼4 × 1037 ergs s-1. We compare the properties of this peculiar system with those of the Be/NS LMC transient A 0538-66 and suggest that CI Cam is of similar nature. The presence of strong radio emission during outburst indicates that the compact object is likely to be a black hole or a weakly magnetized neutron star.",

author = "T. Belloni and S. Dieters and {Van Den Ancker}, {M. E.} and Fender, {R. P.} and Fox, {D. W.} and Harmon, {B. A.} and {Van Der Klis}, M. and Kommers, {J. M.} and Lewin, {W. H.G.} and {Van Paradijs}, J.",

year = "1999",

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doi = "10.1086/308055",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "527",

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T1 - On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI camelopardalis

AU - Belloni, T.

AU - Dieters, S.

AU - Van Den Ancker, M. E.

AU - Fender, R. P.

AU - Fox, D. W.

AU - Harmon, B. A.

AU - Van Der Klis, M.

AU - Kommers, J. M.

AU - Lewin, W. H.G.

AU - Van Paradijs, J.

PY - 1999/12/10

Y1 - 1999/12/10

N2 - We present the results of an analysis of RXTE, BATSE, and optical/infrared data of the 1998 outburst of the X-ray transient system XTE J0421 + 560 (CI Cam). The X-ray outburst shows a very fast decay (initial e-folding time ∼0.5 days, slowing down to ∼2.3 days). The X-ray spectrum in the 2-25 keV band is complex, softening considerably during decay and with strongly variable intrinsic absorption. A strong iron emission line is observed. No fast time variability is detected (<0.5% rms in the 1-4096 Hz band at the outburst peak). The analysis of the optical/IR data suggests that the secondary is a B[e] star surrounded by cool dust, and places the system at a distance of ≳2 kpc. At this distance, the peak at 2-25 keV luminosity is ∼4 × 1037 ergs s-1. We compare the properties of this peculiar system with those of the Be/NS LMC transient A 0538-66 and suggest that CI Cam is of similar nature. The presence of strong radio emission during outburst indicates that the compact object is likely to be a black hole or a weakly magnetized neutron star.

AB - We present the results of an analysis of RXTE, BATSE, and optical/infrared data of the 1998 outburst of the X-ray transient system XTE J0421 + 560 (CI Cam). The X-ray outburst shows a very fast decay (initial e-folding time ∼0.5 days, slowing down to ∼2.3 days). The X-ray spectrum in the 2-25 keV band is complex, softening considerably during decay and with strongly variable intrinsic absorption. A strong iron emission line is observed. No fast time variability is detected (<0.5% rms in the 1-4096 Hz band at the outburst peak). The analysis of the optical/IR data suggests that the secondary is a B[e] star surrounded by cool dust, and places the system at a distance of ≳2 kpc. At this distance, the peak at 2-25 keV luminosity is ∼4 × 1037 ergs s-1. We compare the properties of this peculiar system with those of the Be/NS LMC transient A 0538-66 and suggest that CI Cam is of similar nature. The presence of strong radio emission during outburst indicates that the compact object is likely to be a black hole or a weakly magnetized neutron star.

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On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI camelopardalis

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