Bibcode
Corral-Santana, J. M.; Casares, J.; Shahbaz, T.; Zurita, C.; Martínez-Pais, I. G.; Rodríguez-Gil, P.
Bibliographical reference
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, Volume 413, Issue 1, pp. L15-L19.
Advertised on:
5
2011
Citations
56
Refereed citations
51
Description
We present the results of time-resolved optical photometry and
spectroscopy of the X-ray transient XTE J1859+226 (V406 Vul).
Photometric observations taken during 2000 and 2008 reveal the presence
of the secondary star's ellipsoidal modulation. Further photometry
obtained in 2010 shows the system ≃1 mag brighter than its
quiescence level and the ellipsoidal modulation diluted by strong
flaring activity. Spectroscopic data obtained with the 10.4-m GTC in
2010 reveal radial velocity variations of ˜500 km s-1
over 3 h. A simultaneous fit to the photometry and spectroscopy using
sinusoids to represent the secondary star's ellipsoidal and radial
velocity variations, yields an orbital period of 6.58 ± 0.05 h
and a secondary star's radial velocity semi-amplitude of K2=
541 ± 70 km s-1. The implied mass function is f(M) =
4.5 ± 0.6 M&sun;, significantly lower than previously
reported but consistent with the presence of a black hole in XTE
J1859+226. The lack of eclipses sets an upper limit to the inclination
of 70° which yields a lower limit to the black hole mass of 5.42
M&sun;.
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