Intermediate long X-ray bursts from the ultra-compact binary candidate SLX1737-282

M. Falanga, Jérôme Chenevez, A. Cumming, E. Kuulkers, G. Trap, A. Goldwurm

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Aims. The low persistent flux X-ray burster source SLX 1737-282 is classified as an ultra-compact binary candidate. We compare the data on SLX 1737-282 with the other similar objects and attempt to derive constraints on the physical processes responsible for the formation of intermediate long bursts. Methods: Up to now only four bursts, all with duration between ≃15{-}30 min, have been recorded for SLX 1737-282. The properties of three of these intermediate long X-ray bursts observed by INTEGRAL are investigated and compared to other burster sources. The broadband spectrum of the persistent emission in the 3-100 keV energy band is studied with the INTEGRAL data. Results: The persistent emission is measured to be 0.5% Eddington luminosity. From the photospheric radius expansion observed during at least one burst we derive the source distance at 7.3 kpc assuming a pure helium atmosphere. The observed intermediate long burst properties from SLX 1737-282 are consistent with helium ignition at the column depth of 5-8 × 109 g cm-2 and a burst energy release of 1041 erg. The apparent recurrence time of ≃86 days between the intermediate long bursts from SLX 1737-282 suggests a regime of unstable burning of a thick, pure helium layer slowly accreted from a helium donor star.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
    Volume484
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)43-50
    ISSN0004-6361
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

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