Large-Scale, Decelerating, Relativistic X-ray Jets from the Microquasar XTE J1550-564

Corbel, S.; Fender, R. P.; Tzioumis, A. K.; Tomsick, John A.; Orosz, Jerome A.; Miller, J. M.; Wijnands, Rudy; Kaaret, Philip

doi:10.1126/science.1075857

Cited by 243 publications

(279 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…However, very long baseline interferometric observations of the neutron-star binary Sco X-1 [12,13] have revealed knots with mildly relativistic bulk velocities (β ∼ 0.5) which are energised by a beam which is itself not directly detectable, but must have a Lorentz factor Γ > 3. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the observed synchrotron emission results from a moving shock [14] (as discussed for AGN and Gamma-ray bursts), a possibility supported by recent observations of large-scale X-ray jets from a transient black hole X-ray binary, revealing in-situ acceleration of electrons to TeV energies [15].…”

mentioning

confidence: 87%

An ultra-relativistic outflow from a neutron star accreting gas from a companion

Fender

Johnston

et al. 2004

Nature

161

226

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mentioning

confidence: 87%

An ultra-relativistic outflow from a neutron star accreting gas from a companion

Fender

Johnston

et al. 2004

Nature

161

226

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“…Jet breaks have been isolated in almost a dozen hard state systems (e.g., Corbel et al 2002;Russell et al 2013). However, we caution that drawing a physical connection between a jet break for J1357.2 in quiescence and for the hard state systems is currently premature, as the jet breaks that have been isolated in hard state systems are intimately related to the location along the jet where (some fraction of) particles are accelerated into non-thermal distributions (e.g., Polko, Meier & Markoff 2013.…”

Section: A Synchrotron Origin For Quiescent Bhxb Emissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A clean sightline to quiescence: multiwavelength observations of the high Galactic latitude black hole X-ray binary Swift J1357.2−0933

Plotkin

Gallo

Jonker

et al. 2015

Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.

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We present coordinated multiwavelength observations of the high Galactic latitude (b=+50 • ) black hole X-ray binary (BHXB) Swift J1357.2−0933 in quiescence. Our broadband spectrum includes strictly simultaneous radio and X-ray observations, and near-infrared, optical, and ultraviolet data taken 1-2 days later. We detect Swift J1357.2−0933 at all wavebands except for the radio (f 5GHz <3.9 µJy beam −1 ; 3σ rms ). Given current constraints on the distance (2.3-6.3 kpc), its 0.5-10 keV X-ray flux corresponds to an Eddington ratio L X /L Edd = 4 × 10 −9 − 3 × 10 −8 (assuming a black hole mass of 10M ⊙ ). The broadband spectrum is dominated by synchrotron radiation from a relativistic population of outflowing thermal electrons, which we argue to be a common signature of short-period quiescent BHXBs. Furthermore, we identify the frequency where the synchrotron radiation transitions from optically thick-to-thin (ν b ≈ 2 − 5 × 10 14 Hz, which is the most robust determination of a 'jet break' for a quiescent BHXB to date. Our interpretation relies on the presence of steep curvature in the ultraviolet spectrum, a frequency window made observable by the low amount of interstellar absorption along the line of sight. High Galactic latitude systems like Swift J1357.2−0933 with clean ultraviolet sightlines are crucial for understanding black hole accretion at low luminosities.

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“…The non-detection suggests either a sub-TeV cut-off in the electron energy distribution and/or a magnetic field strength closer to the equipartition value. A detection in X-rays of the discrete ejecta would imply TeV electron energies, as in XTE J1550-564 and H1743-322 (Corbel et al 2002(Corbel et al , 2005. The HESS upper limits would then rule out sub-equipartition magnetic fields.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In both cases, ejected plasma clouds were detected at distances of 0.1-1 pc from the binary. They showed a power-law spectrum extending from radio to X-rays that was presumably produced by a single electron distribution reaching TeV energies (Corbel et al 2002(Corbel et al , 2005. The highly energetic particles are expected to generate a very faint VHE emission as a result of inverse Compton scattering of ambient radiation fields.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HESS upper limits on very high energy gamma-ray emission from the microquasar GRS 1915+105

Acero¹,

Aharonian²,

Akhperjanian³

et al. 2009

A&A

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Context. High energy particles reside in the relativistic jets of microquasars, making them possible sources of very high energy radiation (VHE, >100 GeV). Detecting this emission would provide a new handle on jet physics. Aims. Observations of the microquasar GRS 1915+105 with the HESS telescope array were undertaken in 2004-2008 to search for VHE emission. Methods. Stereoscopic imaging of Cherenkov radiation from extensive air showers is used to reconstruct the energy and direction of the incident gamma rays. Results. There is no evidence for a VHE gamma-ray signal either from the direction of the microquasar or its vicinity. An upper limit of 6.1 × 10 −13 ph cm −2 s −1 (99.9% confidence level) is set on the photon flux above 410 GeV, equivalent to a VHE luminosity of ∼10 34 erg s −1 at 11 kpc. Conclusions. The VHE to X-ray luminosity ratio in GRS 1915+105 is at least four orders of magnitude lower than the ratio observed in gamma-ray binaries. The VHE radiative efficiency of the compact jet is less than 0.01% based on its estimated total power of 10 38 erg s −1 . Particle acceleration in GRS 1915+105 is not efficient at high energies and/or the magnetic field is too strong. It is also possible that VHE gamma-rays are produced by GRS 1915+105, but the emission is highly time-dependent.

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Large-Scale, Decelerating, Relativistic X-ray Jets from the Microquasar XTE J1550-564

Cited by 243 publications

References 28 publications

An ultra-relativistic outflow from a neutron star accreting gas from a companion

An ultra-relativistic outflow from a neutron star accreting gas from a companion

A clean sightline to quiescence: multiwavelength observations of the high Galactic latitude black hole X-ray binary Swift J1357.2−0933

HESS upper limits on very high energy gamma-ray emission from the microquasar GRS 1915+105

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