ATLAS optical observations of the millisecond X-ray pulsar MAXI J1957+032 in outburst
ATel #17171; A. K. H. Kong (NTHU)
on 7 May 2025; 13:19 UT
Credential Certification: Albert Kong (akong@phys.nthu.edu.tw)
Subjects: Optical, X-ray, Neutron Star, Pulsar
Referred to by ATel #: 17187
Following the discovery of the new outburst of the millisecond X-ray pulsar MAXI J1957+032 in the X-ray band (GCN #40375; ATel #17170), we searched for the ATLAS database to investigate the optical variability. Using the ATLAS forced photometry server (https://fallingstar-data.com/forcedphot/), we extracted the long-term optical light curve of MAXI J1957+032. Based on the difference imaging light curve, there is a clear flux excess since 2025 May 5. On 2025 May 6, the cyan filter magnitude is about 19 indicating an optical outburst. It is worth noting that during the quiescent state, the g-band magnitude is about 23 (Ravi 2017). We strongly encourage multiwavelength follow-up observations of this source.
ATLAS light curve
