Swift/BAT reports the detection of a new galactic source Swift J1539.2-6227
ATel #1855; H. A. Krimm (CRESST/GSFC/USRA), S. D. Barthelmy (GSFC), W. Baumgartner (CRESST/GSFC/UMBC), J. Cummings (CRESST/GSFC/UMBC), E. Fenimore (LANL), N. Gehrels (GSFC), C. B. Markwardt (CRESST/GSFC/UMD), D. Palmer (LANL), A. Parsons (GSFC), T. Sakamoto (CRESTT/GSFC/UMBC), G. Sato (GSFC/ISAS), G. Skinner (CRESST/GSFC/UMBC), M. Stamatikos (GSFC/ORAU), J. Tueller (GSFC)
on 26 Nov 2008; 21:22 UT
Credential Certification: Hans A. Krimm (Hans.Krimm@nasa.gov)
Subjects: X-ray, Request for Observations, Transient
The hard X-ray transient monitor of the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) has detected a previously unknown galactic transient. This source, Swift J1539.2-6227, was first detected at a daily average rate of 0.024 ± 0.010 counts/sec/cm2 (100 mcrab) in the 15-50 keV band on November 24, 2008 (MJD 54794). It has continued at nearly the same brightness for the past three days of observations. The best BAT position is RA=234.804 Dec=-62.466, (J2000) with an estimated error of 3'. Note that this source is on the galactic plane at coordinates L=321.021, B=-5.643 degrees.
This source is currently too close to the Sun to be observed with the Swift narrow-field instruments. It will come out of Sun constraint on Dec. 22, 2008. An RXTE observation is scheduled for later today.
Swift/BAT light curve for Swift J1539.2-6227
