IGR J17497-2821: Swift/BAT Detects the New Hard X-ray Transient
ATel #890; H. A. Krimm (NASA GSFC/USRA), S. D. Barthelmy, N. Gehrels (NASA GSFC), C. B. Markwardt (NASA GSFC/U. Maryland), D. Sanwal (NASA GSFC/JHU), J. Tueller (NASA GSFC) for the Swift-BAT science team
on 20 Sep 2006; 20:15 UT
Credential Certification: Hans A. Krimm (krimm@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Subjects: X-ray, Transient
The science team for the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on Swift confirms the newly discovered galactic transient IGR J17497-2821 (Soldi et al, ATel #885, Walter, ATel #889) in the 15-50 keV band. The source was first observed in the on-state on Sep. 5, 2006 in a 1024 sec observation beginning at 07:38:55 UTC at a count rate of 0.014 +/- 0.006 cts/sec/cm^2, corresponding to ~60 mCrab. The source was not detected again until a 1152 sec observation beginning at UTC 00:58:55 on Sep. 19, 2006 at 0.015 +/- 0.004 cts/sec/cm^2. It has since risen in intensity and is now seen at > 120 mCrab. The most recent observation (UTC 06:22:55 Sep. 20, 2006) showed a count rate of 0.028 +/- 0.01 cts/sec/cm^2. Although the general trend is brightening, Swift/BAT also confirms the variable nature of this source.
