SIMBAD references

2025A&A...698A..71S - Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 698A71 (2025/6-1)

Discovery of a bimodal luminosity distribution in the persistent Be/X-ray pulsar 2RXP J130159.6-635806.

SALGANIK A., TSYGANKOV S.S., CHERNYAKOVA M., MALYSHEV D. and POUTANEN J.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present a comprehensive analysis of 2RXP J130159.6-635806, a persistent low-luminosity Be/X-ray pulsar, focusing on its transition to a spin equilibrium state and the discovery of a bimodal luminosity distribution that possibly reveals a new accretion regime. Using data from the NuSTAR, Swift, XMM-Newton, and Chandra observatories, we investigated changes in the pulsar's timing and spectral properties. After more than 20 years of continuous spin-up, the pulsar's spin period has stabilized, marking the onset of spin equilibrium. This transition was accompanied by the emergence of a previously unobserved accretion regime at $ L_{\mathrm{bol}} = (2.0_{-1.0}^{+2.3})\times 10^{34} $ erg s–1, an order of magnitude lower than its earlier quiescent state. After that, the source occasionally switched between these regimes, remaining in each state for extended periods, with the transition from a luminosity of 1035 erg s–1 to 1034 erg s–1 taking less than 2.3 days. The analysis of the spectral data collected during this new low-luminosity state revealed a two-hump shape that is different from the cutoff power-law spectra observed at higher luminosities. The discovery of pulsations in this state, together with the hard spectral shape, indicates ongoing accretion. We estimate the magnetic field strength to be ∼1013 G based on indirect methods. Additionally, we report a hint of a previously undetected ∼90-day orbital period in the system.

Abstract Copyright: © The Authors 2025

Journal keyword(s): accretion, accretion disks - magnetic fields - stars: neutron - pulsars: individual: 2RXP J130159.6-635806 - X-rays: binaries

Simbad objects: 11

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