New X-ray Transient, XTE J1701-462

ATel #696; R. A. Remillard and D. Lin (MIT), for the ASM team at MIT and NASA/GSFC
on 18 Jan 2006; 23:40 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Transients
Credential Certification: Ron Remillard (rr@space.mit.edu)

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Observations with the RXTE All-Sky Monitor reveal a new transient at coordinates 255.26 -46.23 (degrees, J2000), with a position uncertainty of 0.10 degrees at 90% confidence. The source was first detected on 2006 January 18, with only 5 camera dwells and an average flux of 501 (13) mCrab at 2-12 keV. The beginning of the outburst is difficult to determine, since exposures have been limited by the recent crossing of the Sun over the Galactic center region. The ASM hardness ratios suggest a soft X-ray transient with a moderately high amount of interstellar absorption. The intrinsic spectrum is closer to the Crab spectrum, rather than an "ultrasoft" spectrum. Followup observations at other wavelengths are urgently needed.