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We present the discovery of a likely new redback millisecond pulsar (MSP) binary associated with the Fermi γ-ray source 4FGL J2333.1–5527. Using optical photometric and spectroscopic observations from the Southern Astrophysical Research telescope, we identify a low-mass, main-sequence-like companion in a 6.9 hr, highly inclined orbit around a suspected massive neutron star primary. Archival XMM-Newton X-ray observations show this system has a hard power-law spectrum Γ = 1.6 ± 0.3 and LX ∼ 5 × 1031 erg s−1, consistent with redback MSP binaries. Our data suggest that for secondary masses typical of redbacks, the mass of the neutron star is likely well in excess of ∼1.4 M⊙, but future timing of the radio pulsar is necessary to bolster this tentative conclusion. This work shows that a bevy of nearby compact binaries still await discovery, and that unusually massive neutron stars continue to be common in redbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PSR J1306–40 is a millisecond pulsar (MSP) binary with a non-degenerate companion in an unusually long ∼1.097 day orbit. We present new optical photometry and spectroscopy of this system, and model these data to constrain fundamental properties of the binary such as the component masses and distance. The optical data imply a minimum neutron star mass of 1.75 ± 0.09 M⊙ (1σ) and a high, nearly edge-on inclination. The light curves suggest a large hot spot on the companion, suggestive of a portion of the pulsar wind being channeled to the stellar surface by the magnetic field of the secondary, mediated via an intrabinary shock. The Hα line profiles switch rapidly from emission to absorption near the companion inferior conjunction, consistent with an eclipse of the compact emission region at these phases. At our optically inferred distance of 4.7 ± 0.5 kpc, the X-ray luminosity is ∼1033 erg s−1, brighter than nearly all known redbacks in the pulsar state. The long-period, subgiant-like secondary, and luminous X-ray emission suggest this system may be part of the expanding class of MSP binaries that are progenitors to typical field pulsar–white dwarf binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first optical spectroscopy of five confirmed (or strong candidate) redback millisecond pulsar binaries, obtaining complete radial velocity curves for each companion star. The properties of these millisecond pulsar binaries with low-mass, hydrogen-rich companions are discussed in the context of the 14 confirmed and 10 candidate field redbacks. We find that the neutron stars in redbacks have a median mass of 1.78 ± 0.09 M⊙ with a dispersion of σ = 0.21 ± 0.09. Neutron stars with masses in excess of 2 M⊙ are consistent with, but not firmly demanded by, current observations. Redback companions have median masses of 0.36 ± 0.04 M⊙ with a scatter of σ = 0.15 ± 0.04 M⊙, and a tail possibly extending up to 0.7–0.9 M⊙. Candidate redbacks tend to have higher companion masses than confirmed redbacks, suggesting a possible selection bias against the detection of radio pulsations in these more massive candidate systems. The distribution of companion masses between redbacks and the less massive black widows continues to be strongly bimodal, which is an important constraint on evolutionary models for these systems. Among redbacks, the median efficiency of converting the pulsar spin-down energy to γ-ray luminosity is ∼10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fermi γ-ray source 1FGL J1417.7–4407 (J1417) is a compact X-ray binary with a neutron star primary and a red giant companion in a ∼5.4 days orbit. This initial conclusion, based on optical and X-ray data, was confirmed when a 2.66 ms radio pulsar was found at the same location (and with the same orbital properties) as the optical/X-ray source. However, these initial studies found conflicting evidence about the accretion state and other properties of the binary. We present new optical, radio, and X-ray observations of J1417 that allow us to better understand this unusual system. We show that one of the main pieces of evidence previously put forward for an accretion disk—the complex morphology of the persistent Hα emission line—can be better explained by the presence of a strong, magnetically driven stellar wind from the secondary and its interaction with the pulsar wind. The radio spectral index derived from VLA/ATCA observations is broadly consistent with that expected from a millisecond pulsar, further disfavoring an accretion disk scenario. X-ray observations show evidence for a double-peaked orbital light curve, similar to that observed in some redback millisecond pulsar binaries and likely due to an intrabinary shock. Refined optical light-curve fitting gives a distance of 3.1 ± 0.6 kpc, confirmed by a Gaia DR2 parallax measurement. At this distance the X-ray luminosity of J1417 is () ×1033 erg s−1, which is more luminous than all known redback systems in the rotational-powered pulsar state, perhaps due to the wind from the giant companion. The unusual phenomenology of this system and its differing evolutionary path from redback millisecond pulsar binaries points to a new eclipsing pulsar “spider” subclass that is a possible progenitor of normal field millisecond pulsar binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitional millisecond pulsars are accreting millisecond pulsars that switch between accreting X-ray binary and millisecond radio pulsar states. Only a handful of these objects have been identified so far. Terzan 5 CX1 is a variable hard-X-ray source in the globular cluster Terzan 5. In this paper, we identify a radio counterpart to CX1 in deep Very Large Array radio continuum data. Chandra observations over the last 14 years indicate that CX1 shows two brightness states: in 2003 and 2016 the source was the brightest X-ray source in the cluster (at LX ∼ 1033 erg s−1), while in many intermediate observations, its luminosity was almost an order of magnitude lower. We analyze all available X-ray data of CX1, showing that the two states are consistent with the spectral and variability properties observed for the X-ray active and radio pulsar states of known transitional millisecond pulsars. Finally, we discuss the prospects for the detection of CX1 as a radio pulsar in existing timing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of an ultradeep, comprehensive radio continuum survey for the accretion signatures of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in globular clusters (GCs). The sample, imaged with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and the Australia Telescope Compact Array, comprises 50 Galactic GCs. No compelling evidence for an IMBH is found in any cluster in our sample. In order to achieve the highest sensitivity to low-level emission, we also present the results of an overall stack of our sample as well as various subsamples, also finding nondetections. These results strengthen the idea that IMBHs with masses ≳1000M⊙ are rare or absent in GCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery and characterization of a radio-bright binary in the Galactic globular cluster M10. First identified in deep radio continuum data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, M10-VLA1 has a flux density of 27 ± 4 μJy at 7.4 GHz and a flat-to-inverted radio spectrum. Chandra imaging shows an X-ray source with LX ≈ 1031 erg s−1 matching the location of the radio source. This places M10-VLA1 within the scatter of the radio-X-ray luminosity correlation for quiescent stellar-mass black holes, and a black hole X-ray binary is a viable explanation for this system. The radio and X-ray properties of the source disfavor, but do not rule out, identification as an accreting neutron star or white dwarf system. Optical imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope and spectroscopy from the SOAR telescope show that the system has an orbital period of 3.339 days and an unusual “red straggler” component: an evolved star found redward of the M10 red giant branch. These data also show UV/optical variability and double-peaked Hα emission characteristic of an accretion disk. However, SOAR spectroscopic monitoring reveals that the velocity semi-amplitude of the red straggler is low. We conclude that M10-VLA1 is most likely either a quiescent black hole X-ray binary with a rather face-on (i < 4°) orientation or an unusual flaring RS Canum Venaticorum variable-type active binary, and discuss future observations that could distinguish between these possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the likely stellar counterpart to the unassociated Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) γ-ray source 2FGL J0846.0+2820, selected for study based on positional coincidences of optical variables with unassociated LAT sources. Using optical spectroscopy from the SOAR telescope, we have identified a late-G giant in an eccentric (e = 0.06) 8.133-day orbit with an invisible primary. Modeling the spectroscopy and photometry together led us to infer a heavy neutron star primary of and a partially stripped giant secondary of . Hα emission is observed in some of the spectra, perhaps consistent with the presence of a faint accretion disk. We find that the γ-ray flux of 2FGL J0846.0+2820 dropped substantially in mid-2009, accompanied by an increased variation in the optical brightness, and since then, it has not been detected by Fermi. The long period and giant secondary are reminiscent of the γ-ray bright binary 1FGL J1417.7–4407, which hosts a millisecond pulsar (MSP) apparently in the final stages of the pulsar recycling process. The discovery of 2FGL J0846.0+2820 suggests the identification of a new subclass of MSP binaries that are the likely progenitors of typical field MSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of an eclipsing low-mass X-ray binary at the center of the 3FGL error ellipse of the unassociated Fermi/Large Area Telescope γ-ray source 3FGL J0427.9–6704. Photometry from OGLE and the SMARTS 1.3 m telescope and spectroscopy from the SOAR telescope have allowed us to classify the system as an eclipsing low-mass X-ray binary (P = 8.8 hr) with a main-sequence donor and a neutron-star accretor. Broad double-peaked H and He emission lines suggest the ongoing presence of an accretion disk. Remarkably, the system shows separate sets of absorption lines associated with the accretion disk and the secondary, and we use their radial velocities to find evidence for a massive (∼1.8–1.9 M⊙) neutron-star primary. In addition to a total X-ray eclipse with a duration of ∼2200 s observed with NuSTAR, the X-ray light curve also shows properties similar to those observed among known transitional millisecond pulsars: short-term variability, a hard power-law spectrum (), and a comparable 0.5–10 keV luminosity ( erg s−1). We find tentative evidence for a partial () γ-ray eclipse at the same phase as the X-ray eclipse, suggesting the γ-ray emission may not be confined to the immediate region of the compact object. The favorable inclination of this binary is promising for future efforts to determine the origin of γ-rays among accreting neutron stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]