Optical Constraints on an X-ray Transient Source in M31

We have detected a transient X-ray source in the M31 bulge through a continuing monitoring campaign with the Chandra ACIS-I camera. The source was detected at R.A. = 00 super(h)42 super(m)33."428 c 0."11, decl. = +4117'03."37 c 0."11 in only a single observation taken 2004 M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astrophysical journal 2005-10, Vol.631 (2), p.832-837
Main Authors: Williams, Benjamin F, Garcia, Michael R, Primini, Frank A, McClintock, Jeffrey E, Murray, Stephen S
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We have detected a transient X-ray source in the M31 bulge through a continuing monitoring campaign with the Chandra ACIS-I camera. The source was detected at R.A. = 00 super(h)42 super(m)33."428 c 0."11, decl. = +4117'03."37 c 0."11 in only a single observation taken 2004 May 23. Fortuitous optical HST ACS imaging of the transient location prior to the X-ray outburst, along with follow-up HST ACS imaging during and after the outburst, reveals no transient optical source brighter than B(equivalent) = 25.5. The location of the source and its X-ray properties suggest that it is a low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB). Assuming the transient is similar to many Galactic X-ray novae, the X-ray luminosity of (3.9 c 0.4) x 10 super(37) ergs s super(-1) and the upper limit on the optical luminosity provide a prediction of ,1.6 days for the orbital period of the binary system.
ISSN:0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.1086/432597