Radio detection and localization of XTE J1652-453 with the ATCA

ATel #2135; D. E. Calvelo (University of Southampton), T. Tzioumis (ATNF), S. Corbel (CEA Saclay & Université Paris Diderot), C. Brocksopp (UCL-MSSL), R. P. Fender (University of Southampton)
on 22 Jul 2009; 23:10 UT
Credential Certification: Catherine Brocksopp (cb4@mssl.ucl.ac.uk)

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Following the discovery of the new X-Ray transient XTE J1652-453 by RXTE (ATel #2107), we have conducted radio observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the new CABB back-end in the H75 configuration on 06-07-2009, 07-07-2009 & 13-07-2009. A variable radio source is detected at a position consistent with the refined Swift error circle (ATel #2120) with preliminary flux density of 0.75 +/- 0.07 mJy at 9 GHz and 0.95 +/- 0.06 mJy at 5.5 GHz on 13-07-09, giving a spectral index of -0.47 +/- 0.23. The source went undetected in images from the 06-07 & 07-07 suggesting flux density <0.06 mJy at 5.5 GHz & <0.08 & <0.15 mJy at 9 GHz respectively. The ATCA radio observations seem to indicate the decay of an optically thin synchrotron event associated with the activation of XTE J1652-453. Analysis of the ATCA images yields a position of : RA = 16h52m20.33s DEC = -45d20'39.99" with an uncertainty of 0.32' taking into account the result of the fit as well as the phase calibrator uncertainties This ATCA position would favor Star B from ATel #2125 as the most likely near infrared counterpart of XTE J1652-453.