Radio Continuum Studies of Ultracompact and Short Orbital Period X-Ray Binaries
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We present the radio continuum counterparts to the enigmatic ultracompact X-ray binaries (UCXBs): a black hole or neutron star accreting from a hydrogen-deficient white dwarf donor star with short orbital periods (<80 minutes). For the sample of UCXBs hosted by globular clusters (GCs), we search for whether certain GC properties are more likely to enhance UCXB formation. We determine that GCs that host UCXBs are drawn from a distinct population in terms of cluster concentration, core radius, and half-light radius, but are similar to other well-studied GCs in metallicity and cluster mass. In particular, UCXB-hosting GCs tend to be on average more compact, with a higher concentration than other GCs, with significantly higher encounter rates. We investigate whether a correlation exists between radio luminosity and orbital period, using new and archival observations. We determine that there is not a clear connection between the two observable quantities.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Authors: Kristen C. Dage, Teresa Panurach, Kwangmin Oh, Malu Sudha, Montserrat Armas Padilla, Arash Bahramian, Edward M. Cackett, Timothy J. Galvin, Craig O. Heinke, Renee Ludlam, Angiraben D. Mahida, Richard M. Plotkin, Thomas D. Russell, Susmita Sett, Payaswini Saikia, Aarran W. Shaw, Alexandra J. Tetarenko
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
OpenAlex ID: W4413063609