Publication: Chandra, MDM, Swift, and NuSTAR Observations Confirming the SFXT Nature of AX J1949.8+2534
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2019-06-07
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American Astronomical Society
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Hare, Jeremy, Jules P. Halpern, Maïca Clavel, Jonathan E. Grindlay, Farid Rahoui, and John A. Tomsick. 2019. Chandra, MDM, Swift, and NuSTAR Observations Confirming the SFXT Nature of AX J1949.8 2534. The Astrophysical Journal 878, no. 1: 8.
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Abstract
AX J1949.8+2534 is a candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) observed in outburst by the International Gamma-ray Astrophysics Laboratory (IGR J19498+2534). We report on the results of six Neil Gehrels Swift-XRT, one Chandra, and one Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array observation of the source. We find evidence of rapid X-ray variability on a few kilosecond timescales. Fortunately, Chandra observed the source in a relatively bright state, allowing us to confidently identify the optical/NIR counterpart of the source. We also obtained an optical spectrum of this counterpart, which shows an Hα emission line and He I absorption features. The photometry and spectrum of the source allow us to constrain its distance, ̃7-8 kpc, and reddening, A V = 8.5-9.5. We find that the star is likely an early B-type Ia supergiant, confirming that AX J1949.8+2534 is indeed an SFXT.
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