Swift reports the detection of a new galactic transient source Swift J1808.4-1754
ATel #6138; H. A. Krimm (CRESST/GSFC/USRA), S. D. Barthelmy (GSFC), W. Baumgartner (CRESST/GSFC/UMBC), J. Cummings (CRESST/GSFC/UMBC), N. Gehrels (GSFC), A. Y. Lien (NASA/GSFC/ORAU), C. B. Markwardt (GSFC), D. Palmer (LANL), T. Sakamoto (AGU), M. Stamatikos (OSU/GSFC), T. Ukwatta (MSU)
on 14 May 2014; 20:43 UT
Credential Certification: Hans A. Krimm (Hans.Krimm@nasa.gov)
Subjects: X-ray, Binary, Black Hole, Neutron Star, Transient
The hard X-ray transient monitor of the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) has detected a previously unknown transient source. The new source, Swift J1808.4-1754, was first detected by the BAT in a 1-day integration on 2014 May 9 (MJD 56786) at an average rate of 0.005 +/- 0.0008 counts/sec/cm2 (23 mCrab) in the 15-50 keV band. It has risen in brightness since that time. On 2013 May 14, the rate was 0.0115 +/- 0.002 counts/sec/cm2 (50 mCrab).
The best BAT position is (J2000):
RA = 272.110 Dec = -17.904
RA = 18 08 26.4 Dec = -17 54 13.7
with an estimated error of 3 arc minutes (statistical plus systematic).
There is a radio source PMN J1808-1752 at the edge of the BAT error circle. Observations with the Swift/XRT will confirm or refute the association of the BAT source with the Parkes-MIT-NRAO source.
Swift Target of Opportunity observations have been requested.
Swift/BAT transient monitor light curve for Swift J1808.4-1754
