XMM-Newton detection of a high flux state in the HMXRB IGR J13020-6359
ATel #18025; Robbie Webbe (IRAP), Natalie A. Webb (IRAP), Erwan Quintin (ESA), Laurent Michel (CDS)
on 1 Sep 2026; 10:23 UT
Credential Certification: Robbie Webbe (robbie.webbe@cnrs.fr)
Subjects: X-ray, Binary, Neutron Star, Variables
We report the detection of X-ray brightening from the source IGR J13020-6359 with the XMM-Newton X-ray telescope in the energy range 0.2-12.0 keV.
On 7th August 2026 IGR J13020-6359 was observed in the field of view of an XMM-Newton observation, and the long-term variability was assessed using the multi-observatory STONKS pipeline. IGR J13020-6359 has been previously detected in overlapping X-ray energy ranges by Chandra, Swift, and eROSITA with long-term variability of more than a factor 100. IGR J13020-6359 has been previously identified as a neutron star high mass X-ray binary, with X-ray outbursts in 2004 observed by XMM-Newton and in 2017 observed by Swift. This new detection of IGR J13020-6359 shows the source as being in a brighter flux state, with a flux ~2x10^-11 erg/s/cm^2, compared to the two prior XMM-Newton observations in 2021 and 2023, with fluxes ~2x10^-12 erg/s/cm^2.
Follow up observations to further characterise the new X-ray flux state are highly encouraged. Further details of all STONKS alerts can be found at the link below.
