Possible outburst in neutron star LMXB SAX J1806.5-2215
ATel #3193; Altamirano, D.; Kaur, R.; Degenaar, N.; Wijnands, R.; Yang, Y.; Armas-padilla, M.; Strohmayer, T; Markwardt, C.
on 25 Feb 2011; 23:21 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Transients
Credential Certification: Ramanpreet Kaur (raman.pk@gmail.com)
Subjects: Infra-Red, Optical, X-ray, Binary, Neutron Star, Transient, Pulsar
While scanning the galactic bulge region on February 22, 2011, RXTE detected what appears to be the first outburst of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) SAX J1806.5-2215 in (at least) the last 10 years:
http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/craigm/galscan/html/SAXJ1806.5-2215.html
On February 24, 2011, RXTE performed a ~3ksec pointed observation. A source is clearly detected at ~8 mCrab (2-16 keV). We found no X-ray bursts in the light curve. The power spectrum only shows ~10% variability and evidence (although not significant) of high frequency quasi-periodic oscillations.
SAX J1806.5-2215 was discovered by the BeppoSAX WFC through the detection of type I bursts; a Chandra observation has reveled several sources in the BeppoSAX WFC error circle (in't Zand et al. 1999, Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl., 69, 228). Swift observations are already planned to better constrain its position and identification. Further RXTE observations are also planned.
