Discovery of the neutron star nature of SLX 1737-282

Authors :: Pietro Ubertini
R. Cornelisse
M. Cocchi
Angela Bazzano
Craig B. Markwardt
J. J. M. in 't Zand
Frank Verbunt
E. Kuulkers
Lorenzo Natalucci
John Heise
Source :: Scopus-Elsevier, 389 (2002)., info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:In 'T Zand J.J.M., Verbunt F., Kuulkers E., Markwardt C., Bazzano A., Cocchi M., Cornelisse R., Heise J., Natalucci L., Ubertini P./titolo:Discovery of the neutron star nature of SLX 1737-282/doi:/rivista:/anno:2002/pagina_da:/pagina_a:/intervallo_pagine:/volume:389
Publication Year :: 2002
Publisher :: EDP Sciences, 2002.
Abstract: SLX 1737-282 is a persistent moderately bright X-ray source 1.2 deg from the Galactic center. X-ray observations with the Wide Field Cameras on BeppoSAX have for the first time revealed the true nature of SLX 1737-282: a 15-min long thermonuclear flash was detected exposing the source as a neutron star in a binary system. The flash was Eddington-limited constraining the distance to between 5 and 8 kpc. We analyze BeppoSAX, ROSAT, and RXTE data on SLX 1737-282. The persistent 0.5-200 keV luminosity is close to or less than 1% of the Eddington limit which implies a rarely-seen circumstance for thermonuclear flash activity.<br />Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A Letters