X-ray Outburst Research Articles

The discovery and scientific potential of fast radio bursts.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-time-scale bursts of coherent radio emission that are luminous enough to be detectable at cosmological distances. In this Review, I describe the discovery of FRBs, subsequent advances in understanding them, and future prospects. Thousands of potentially observable FRBs reach Earth every day, which likely originate from highly magnetic and/or rapidly rotating neutron stars in the distant Universe. Some FRBs repeat, with this subclass often occurring in highly magnetic environments. Two repeating FRBs exhibit cyclic activity windows, consistent with an orbital period. One nearby FRB was emitted by a Galactic magnetar during an x-ray outburst. The host galaxies of some FRBs have been located, providing information about the host environments and the total baryonic content of the Universe.

Multiwavelength observations of Swift J0243.6+6124 from 2017 to 2022

Context.Swift J0243.6+6124 is a high-mass X-ray binary that went into a giant X-ray outburst in 2017. During this event, the X-ray luminosity reached the highest value ever measured in a galactic Be/X-ray binary. Aims. Our aim is to study the long-term variability of Swift J0243.6+6124 after the 2017 major X-ray outburst. Methods. We have obtained optical spectroscopy and photometry data during four years after the event. The long-term photometric light curve and the equivalent widths of the Hα and He I λ6678 lines were used to monitor the state of the Be star’s circumstellar disk. The Hα line profiles show evidence for V/R variability that was accounted for by fitting the Hα spectral line profile with two Gaussian functions. We divided our data into three phases according to the intensity of the X-ray, optical, and infrared emission. Results. Phase I covers the rise and decay of the giant X-ray outburst that took place in October–November 2017. We interpret phase II as the dissipation of the Be star’s equatorial disk and phase III as its recovery. The timescale of a complete formation and dissipation process is about 1250 days. The epoch when the dissipation process stopped and the reformation period began is estimated to be around MJD 58530. We find a delay of ∼100–200 days between the minimum of the optical or infrared intensity and the strength of the Hα line after the X-ray outburst, which may indicate that the dissipation of the disk begins from the inner parts. The motion of the density perturbation inside the disk is prograde, with a V/R quasi-period of about four years. The source shows a positive correlation in the (B − V) color index versus V-band magnitude diagram, which implies that the system is seen at a small or moderate inclination angle. Conclusions. Despite the super-Eddington X-ray luminosity during the outburst, the subsequent pattern of long-term optical and IR variability of Swift J0243.6+6124 is typical of Be/X-ray binaries.

Gamma-ray observations of MAXI J1820+070 during the 2018 outburst

ABSTRACT MAXI J1820+070 is a low-mass X-ray binary with a black hole (BH) as a compact object. This binary underwent an exceptionally bright X-ray outburst from 2018 March to October, showing evidence of a non-thermal particle population through its radio emission during this whole period. The combined results of 59.5 h of observations of the MAXI J1820+070 outburst with the H.E.S.S., MAGIC and VERITAS experiments at energies above 200 GeV are presented, together with Fermi-LAT data between 0.1 and 500 GeV, and multiwavelength observations from radio to X-rays. Gamma-ray emission is not detected from MAXI J1820+070, but the obtained upper limits and the multiwavelength data allow us to put meaningful constraints on the source properties under reasonable assumptions regarding the non-thermal particle population and the jet synchrotron spectrum. In particular, it is possible to show that, if a high-energy (HE) gamma-ray emitting region is present during the hard state of the source, its predicted flux should be at most a factor of 20 below the obtained Fermi-LAT upper limits, and closer to them for magnetic fields significantly below equipartition. During the state transitions, under the plausible assumption that electrons are accelerated up to ∼500 GeV, the multiwavelength data and the gamma-ray upper limits lead consistently to the conclusion that a potential HE and very-HE gamma-ray emitting region should be located at a distance from the BH ranging between 1011 and 1013 cm. Similar outbursts from low-mass X-ray binaries might be detectable in the near future with upcoming instruments such as CTA.

Exploration of the origin of the 2020 X-ray outburst in OJ 287

ABSTRACTResearch into OJ 287 has been ongoing for many years. In 2020 April–June, this source underwent the second highest X-ray outburst (second only to the 2016–2017 outburst) and the mechanism of this outburst is still under debate. In this paper, we discuss two scenarios to explore the origin of the outburst: an after-effect of a black hole–disc impact and a tidal disruption event (TDE). We present the weak correlations of the spectral index versus X-ray flux and the hardness ratio (HR) versus the soft X-ray flux during the outburst, and these features are different from the case in the quiescent state. The correlations are compared with those of the 2016–2017 outburst with the highest X-ray flux in monitoring history. Analysis of the outbursts in 2016–2017 and 2020 shows that the expected time of the X-ray outburst, based on the theory of the after-effect of the black hole–disc impact and the estimation of available data, is inconsistent with historical observations. The soft X-ray spectra, the barely temporal evolution of colour, and the evolution of the HR mean that the 2020 outburst shares similar features with the 2016–2017 outburst, which was considered as a possible candidate for a TDE. Additionally, we find that the predictions of full TDEs (t−5/3) and partial TDEs (t−9/4) for the soft X-ray decay light curve are well fitted. Our analysis suggests that the 2020 outburst in OJ 287 is probably related to the TDE candidate.

SRGA J181414.6-225604: A New Galactic Symbiotic X-Ray Binary Outburst Triggered by an Intense Mass-loss Episode of a Heavily Obscured Mira Variable

We present the discovery and multiwavelength characterization of SRGA J181414.6-225604, a Galactic hard X-ray transient discovered during the ongoing SRG/ART-XC sky survey. Using data from the Palomar Gattini-IR survey, we identify a spatially and temporally coincident variable infrared (IR) source, IRAS 18111-2257, and classify it as a very-late-type (M7–M8), long-period (1502 ± 24 days), and luminous (M K ≈ −9.9 ± 0.2) O-rich Mira donor star located at a distance of ≈14.6+2.9 −2.3 kpc. Combining multicolor photometric data over the last ≈25 yr, we show that the IR counterpart underwent a recent (starting ≈800 days before the X-ray flare) enhanced mass-loss (reaching ≈2.1 × 10−5 M ⊙ yr−1) episode, resulting in an expanding dust shell obscuring the underlying star. Multi-epoch follow-up observations from Swift, NICER, and NuSTAR reveal a ≈200 day long X-ray outburst reaching a peak luminosity of L X ≈ 2.5 × 1036 erg s−1, characterized by a heavily absorbed (N H ≈ 6 × 1022 cm−2) X-ray spectrum consistent with an optically thick Comptonized plasma. The X-ray spectral and timing behavior suggest the presence of clumpy wind accretion, together with a dense ionized nebula overabundant in silicate material surrounding the compact object. Together, we show that SRGA J181414.6-225604 is a new symbiotic X-ray binary in outburst, triggered by an intense dust-formation episode of a highly evolved donor. Our results offer the first direct confirmation for the speculated connection between enhanced late-stage donor mass loss and the active lifetimes of symbiotic X-ray binaries.

The first seven months of the 2020 X-ray outburst of the magnetar SGR J1935+2154

ABSTRACT The magnetar SGR J1935+2154 underwent a new active episode on 2020 April 27–28, when a forest of hundreds of X-ray bursts and a large enhancement of the persistent flux were detected. For the first time, a radio burst with properties similar to those of fast radio bursts and with a X-ray counterpart was observed from this source, showing that magnetars can power at least a group of fast radio bursts. In this paper, we report on the X-ray spectral and timing properties of SGR J1935+2154 based on a long-term monitoring campaign with Chandra, XMM–Newton, NuSTAR, Swift, and NICER covering a time-span of ∼7 months since the outburst onset. The broad-band spectrum exhibited a non-thermal power-law component (Γ ∼ 1.2) extending up to ∼20–25 keV throughout the campaign and a blackbody component with temperature decreasing from ∼1.5 keV at the outburst peak to ∼0.45 keV in the following months. We found that the luminosity decay is well described by the sum of two exponential functions, reflecting the fast decay (∼1 d) at the early stage of the outburst followed by a slower decrease (∼30 d). The source reached quiescence about ∼80 d after the outburst onset, releasing an energy of ∼6 × 1040 erg during the outburst. We detected X-ray pulsations in the XMM–Newton data sets and derived an average spin-down rate of ∼3.5 × 10−11 s s−1 using the spin period measurements derived in this work and three values reported previously during the same active period. Moreover, we report on simultaneous radio observations performed with the Sardinia Radio Telescope. No evidence for periodic or single-pulse radio emission was found.

First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. II. EHT and Multiwavelength Observations, Data Processing, and Calibration

We present Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) 1.3 mm measurements of the radio source located at the position of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), collected during the 2017 April 5–11 campaign. The observations were carried out with eight facilities at six locations across the globe. Novel calibration methods are employed to account for Sgr A*'s flux variability. The majority of the 1.3 mm emission arises from horizon scales, where intrinsic structural source variability is detected on timescales of minutes to hours. The effects of interstellar scattering on the image and its variability are found to be subdominant to intrinsic source structure. The calibrated visibility amplitudes, particularly the locations of the visibility minima, are broadly consistent with a blurred ring with a diameter of ∼50 μas, as determined in later works in this series. Contemporaneous multiwavelength monitoring of Sgr A* was performed at 22, 43, and 86 GHz and at near-infrared and X-ray wavelengths. Several X-ray flares from Sgr A* are detected by Chandra, one at low significance jointly with Swift on 2017 April 7 and the other at higher significance jointly with NuSTAR on 2017 April 11. The brighter April 11 flare is not observed simultaneously by the EHT but is followed by a significant increase in millimeter flux variability immediately after the X-ray outburst, indicating a likely connection in the emission physics near the event horizon. We compare Sgr A*’s broadband flux during the EHT campaign to its historical spectral energy distribution and find that both the quiescent emission and flare emission are consistent with its long-term behavior.

A New X-Ray Tidal Disruption Event Candidate with Fast Variability

Abstract During a close encounter between a star and a supermassive black hole, the star can get disrupted by the black hole’s tidal forces, resulting in a tidal disruption event (TDE). The accretion of the star’s material onto the black hole produces strong emission in different wavelength regimes. Here we report the discovery with the Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) of an X-ray-selected transient source in an optically non-active galaxy. At the location R.A.: 13h 31m57.ˢ66 and decl.: −32°43′19.″7 a sudden rise in X-ray luminosity by a factor of 8 within 8 days has been observed. Additionally, a very soft X-ray spectrum with a blackbody temperature kT = 0.1 keV and a peak luminosity of at least 1 × 1043 erg s−1 suggests a TDE interpretation, and the observed properties are very similar to previously identified soft X-ray (ROSAT) TDEs. An optical spectrum taken of the galaxy at the position of RXJ133157.6324319.7 six years after the X-ray outburst does not show any emission lines as would be expected from a persistent active galactic nucleus. The redshift of the galaxy is determined to be 0.051 based on absorption lines. It is therefore likely a member of the galaxy cluster A3560. The rise in X-ray luminosity happens within 8 days and thus appears to be fast for such an event. No X-ray emission was detected 170 days before and 165 days after the event, and none was detected 25 yr later with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The change in X-ray luminosity is at least a factor of 40.

Accreting on the Edge: A Luminosity-dependent Cyclotron Line in the Be/X-Ray Binary 2S 1553-542 Accompanied by Accretion Regimes Transition

Abstract Accreting X-ray pulsars undergo luminous X-ray outbursts during which the luminosity-dependent spectral and timing features of the neutron star’s emission can be analyzed in detail, thus shedding light on the accretion regime at work. We took advantage of a monitoring campaign that was performed with NuSTAR, Swift/XRT, AstroSat and NICER to follow the Be/X-ray Binary 2S 1553-542 along one of its rare outbursts, and thus trace its spectral and timing evolution. We report the discovery of a luminosity-dependent cyclotron line energy for the first time in this source. The pulse profiles and pulsed fraction also show variability along the outburst, which is consistent with the interpretation that the source transitions from the subcritical to the supercritical accretion regime, separated by a critical luminosity of L crit ≈ 4 × 1037 erg s−1.

X-ray spectral-timing variability of 1A 0535+262 during the 2020 giant outburst

Context. The Be/X-ray binary 1A 0535+262 underwent a giant X-ray outburst in November 2020, peaking at ∼1 × 1038 erg s−1 (1–100 keV, 1.8 kpc), the brightest outburst recorded for this source so far. The source was monitored over two orders of magnitude in luminosity with Insight-HXMT, which allowed us to probe the X-ray variability in an unprecedented range of accretion rates. Aims. Our goal is to search for patterns of correlated spectral and timing behavior that can be used to characterize the accretion states in hard X-ray transient pulsars. Methods. We have studied the evolution of the spectral continuum emission using hardness-intensity diagrams and the aperiodic variability of the source by analyzing power density spectra. We have used phenomenological models to fit the various broadband noise components. Results. The hardness-intensity diagram displays three distinct branches that can be identified with different accretion regimes. The characteristic frequency of the noise components correlates with the luminosity. Our observations cover the highest end of this correlation, at luminosities not previously sampled. We have found evidence for a flattening of the correlation at those high luminosities, which might indicate that the accretion disk reached the closest distance from the neutron star surface during the peak of the outburst. We also find evidence for hysteresis in the spectral and timing parameters: at the same luminosity level, the spectrum is harder and the characteristic noise frequency larger during the rise than during the decay of the outburst. Conclusions. As in black-hole binaries and low-mass X-ray binaries, the hardness-intensity diagram represents a useful diagnostic tool for defining the source state in an accreting pulsar. Our timing analysis confirms previous findings from spectral analyses of a hysteresis pattern of variability, where the spectral and timing parameters adopt different values at similar luminosity depending on whether the source is in the rising or decaying phase of the outburst.

Disentangling the neighbouring pulsars SXP 15.3 and SXP 305

ABSTRACT SXP 15.3 and SXP 305 are two Be X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud that are spatially separated by ∼7 arcsec. The small separation between these sources has, in the past, resulted in confusion about the origin of the emission from the combined region. We present long-term optical and X-ray monitoring results of both sources, where we study the historic and recent behaviour. In particular, from data collected as part of the S-CUBED project we see repeating X-ray outbursts from the combined region of the two sources in the recent light curve from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and we investigate the origin of this emission. Using the Hα emission line from the Southern African Large Telescope and photometric flux from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment to study the changes in the size and structure of the Be disc, we demonstrate that the X-ray emission likely originates from SXP 15.3. Timing analysis reveals unusual behaviour, where the optical outburst profile shows modulation at approximately twice the frequency of the X-ray outbursts. We consider either of these periodicities being the true orbital period in SXP 15.3 and propose models based on the geometric orientations of the Be disc and neutron star to explain the physical origin of the outbursts.

Response of the Fe Kα line emission to the X-ray continuum variability in the changing-look active galactic nucleus NGC 1566

NGC 1566 is a changing look AGN known to exhibit recurrent X-ray outbursts with each lasting for several years. The most recent X-ray outburst is observed on 2018, with a substantial increase of 2–10 keV flux by a factor of ∼24 than the historical minimum. We re-analyze the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations covering the pre-outburst, outburst and post-outburst epochs, and confirm the discovery of the broad feature in the ∼5–7 keV band during the period of outburst that could be interpreted as a relativistic Fe Kα emission line. Our analysis suggests that its flux has increased in tandem with the 2–10 keV continuum, making it the second changing look AGN in which the broad Fe Kα line responds to the X-ray continuum variability. This behavior strongly supports the idea that X-rays originates in a corona above the accretion disk, and disk reflection produces the relativistic Fe Kα line. In addition, we find the response of narrow Fe Kα emission line to the changes in the X-ray continuum on a time-scale as short as four months, allowing to put the location of line-emitting region at <0.1 pc, comparable to the size of optical BLR. By comparing to the changing look AGN NGC 2992, the Fe Kα variation rate (the ratio of Fe Kα variation to luminosity variation) in NGC 1566 appears greater, which could be possibly explained by larger amount of gas or Fe abundance responsible for producing the Fe Kα line for the latter. The strength of variable broad Fe Kα line as well as the soft X-ray excess emission appears to be correlated with the accretion rate, which could be explained as due to the state transition associated with the changing-look phenomenon.

MeerKAT radio detection of the Galactic black hole candidate Swift J1842.5−1124 during its 2020 outburst

ABSTRACT Swift J1842.5−1124 is a transient Galactic black hole X-ray binary candidate, which underwent a new outburst in 2020 May. We performed multi-epoch MeerKAT radio observations under the ThunderKAT large survey programme, coordinated with quasi-simultaneous Swift/XRT X-ray observations during the outburst, which lasted nearly a month. We were able to make the first-ever radio detection of this black hole binary with the highest flux density of 229 ± 31 $\mu$Jy when the source was in the hard state, after non-detection in the radio band in the soft state which occurred immediately after its emergence during the new X-ray outburst. Therefore, its radio and X-ray properties are consistent with the disc-jet coupling picture established in other black hole X-ray binaries. We place the source’s quasi-simultaneous X-ray and radio measurements on the radio/X-ray luminosity correlation plane; two quasi-simultaneous radio/X-ray measurements separated by 11 d were obtained, which span ∼2 dex in the X-ray luminosity. If the source follows the black hole track in the radio/X-ray correlation plane during the outburst, it would lie at a distance beyond ∼5 kpc.

The X-Ray Outburst of PG 1553+113: A Precession Effect of Two Jets in the Supermassive Black Hole Binary System

Abstract Blazar PG 1553+113 is thought to be a host of supermassive black hole binary system. A 2.2 yr quasi-periodicity in the γ-ray light curve was detected, possibly a result of jet precession. Motivated by the previous studies based on the γ-ray data, we analyzed the X-ray light curve and spectra observed during 2012–2020. The 2.2 yr quasi-periodicity might be consistent with the main-flare recurrence in the X-ray light curve. When a weak rebrightening in the γ-ray was observed, a corresponding relatively strong brightening in the X-ray light curve can be identified. The harder-when-brighter tendency in both X-ray main and weak flares was shown, as well as a weak softer-when-brighter behavior for the quiescent state. We explore the possibility that the variability in the X-ray band can be interpreted with two-jet precession scenario. Using the relation between jets and accretion disks, we derive the primary black hole mass ≃3.47 × 108 M ☉ and mass of the secondary one ≃1.40 × 108 M ☉, and their mass ratio ∼0.41.

The Remarkable Spin-down and Ultrafast Outflows of the Highly Pulsed Supersoft Source of Nova Herculis 2021

Abstract Nova Her 2021 (V1674 Her), which erupted on 2021 June 12, reached naked-eye brightness and has been detected from radio to γ-rays. An extremely fast optical decline of 2 magnitudes in 1.2 days and strong Ne lines imply a high-mass white dwarf. The optical pre-outburst detection of a 501.42 s oscillation suggests a magnetic white dwarf. This is the first time that an oscillation of this magnitude has been detected in a classical nova prior to outburst. We report X-ray outburst observations from Swift and Chandra that uniquely show (1) a very strong modulation of supersoft X-rays at a different period from reported optical periods, (2) strong pulse profile variations and the possible presence of period variations of the order of 0.1–0.3 s, and (3) rich grating spectra that vary with modulation phase and show P Cygni–type emission lines with two dominant blueshifted absorption components at ∼3000 and 9000 km s−1 indicating expansion velocities up to 11,000 km s−1. X-ray oscillations most likely arise from inhomogeneous photospheric emission related to the magnetic field. Period differences between reported pre- and post-outburst optical observations, if not due to other period drift mechanisms, suggest a large ejected mass for such a fast nova, in the range 2 × 10−5–2 × 10−4 M ⊙. A difference between the period found in the Chandra data and a reported contemporaneous post-outburst optical period, as well as the presence of period drifts, could be due to weakly nonrigid photospheric rotation.

Spectral analysis of new black hole candidate AT2019wey observed by NuSTAR

AT2019wey is a new galactic X-ray binary that was first discovered as an optical transient by the Australia Telescope Large Area Survey (ATLAS) on December 7, 2019. AT2019wey consists of a black hole candidate as well as a low-mass companion star ($M_{\text {star }} \lesssim 0.8 M_{\odot}$) and is likely to have a short orbital period ($P_{\text {orb }} \lesssim 8$ h). Although AT2019wey began activation in the X-ray band during almost the entire outburst on March 8, 2020, it did not enter the soft state during the entire outburst. In this study, we present a detailed spectral analysis of AT2019wey in the low/hard state during its X-ray outburst on the basis of Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array \emph observations. We obtain tight constraints on several of its important physical parameters by applying the State-of-art \texttt{relxill} relativistic reflection model family. In particular, we determine that the measured inner radius of the accretion disk is most likely to have extended to the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) radius, i.e., $R_{\text{in}}=1.38^{+0.23}_{-0.16}~R_{\text{ISCO}}$. Hence, assuming $R_{\text{in}}$=$R_{\text{ISCO}}$, we find the spin of AT2019wey to be $a_{*}\sim$ $0.97$, which is close to the extreme and an inner disk inclination angle of ~$i\sim$ $22 ^{\circ}$. Additionally, according to our adopted models, AT2019wey tends to have a relatively high iron abundance of $A_{\mathrm{Fe}}\sim$ 5 $A_{\mathrm{Fe}, \odot}$ and a high disk ionization state of $\log \xi\sim$ 3.4.

First tidal disruption events discovered by SRG/eROSITA: X-ray/optical properties and X-ray luminosity function at z &amp;lt; 0.6

ABSTRACT We present the first sample of tidal disruption events (TDEs) discovered during the SRG all-sky survey. These 13 events were selected among X-ray transients detected in the 0° &amp;lt; l &amp;lt; 180° hemisphere by eROSITA during its second sky survey (2020 June 10 to December 14) and confirmed by optical follow-up observations. The most distant event occurred at z = 0.581. One TDE continued to brighten at least 6 months. The X-ray spectra are consistent with nearly critical accretion on to black holes of a few ×103 to $10^8\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$, although supercritical accretion is possibly taking place. In two TDEs, a spectral hardening is observed 6 months after the discovery. Four TDEs showed an optical brightening apart from the X-ray outburst. The other nine TDEs demonstrate no optical activity. All 13 TDEs are optically faint, with Lg/LX &amp;lt; 0.3 (Lg and LX being the g band and 0.2–6 keV luminosity, respectively). We have constructed a TDE X-ray luminosity function, which can be fit by a power law with a slope of −0.6 ± 0.2, similar to the trend observed for optically selected TDEs. The total rate is estimated at (1.1 ± 0.5) × 10−5 TDEs per galaxy per year, an order of magnitude lower than inferred from optical studies. This suggests that X-ray bright events constitute a minority of TDEs, consistent with models predicting that X-rays can only be observed from directions close to the axis of a thick accretion disc formed from the stellar debris. Our TDE detection threshold can be lowered by a factor of ∼2, which should allow a detection of ∼700 TDEs by the end of the SRG survey.

A Month of Monitoring the New Magnetar Swift J1555.2−5402 during an X-Ray Outburst

Abstract The soft gamma-ray repeater Swift J1555.2−5402 was discovered by means of a short burst detected with Swift BAT on 2021 June 3. Then, 1.6 hr after the burst, the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) started daily monitoring of this target for a month. The absorbed 2–10 keV flux stayed nearly constant at around 4 × 10−11 erg s−1 cm−2 during the monitoring, showing only a slight gradual decline. An absorbed blackbody with a temperature of 1.1 keV approximates the soft X-ray spectrum. A 3.86 s periodicity is detected, and the period derivative is measured to be 3.05(7) × 10−11 s s−1. The soft X-ray pulse shows a single sinusoidal shape with an rms pulsed fraction that increases as a function of energy from 15% at 1.5 keV to 39% at 7 keV. The equatorial surface magnetic field, characteristic age, and spin-down luminosity are derived under the dipole field approximation to be 3.5 × 1014 G, 2.0 kyr, and 2.1 × 1034 erg s−1, respectively. We detect 5 and 45 bursts with Swift/BAT and NICER, respectively. Based on these properties, this new source is classified as a magnetar. A hard X-ray power-law component that extends up to at least 40 keV is detected with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). The 10–60 keV flux is ∼9 × 10−12 erg s−1 cm−2 with a photon index of ∼1.2. The pulsed fraction has a sharp cutoff at around 10 keV with an upper limit (≲10%) in the hard-tail band. No radio pulsations are detected during the DSN or VERA observations. The 7σ upper limits of the flux density are 0.043 and 0.026 mJy at the S and X bands, respectively.

Evidence of a Tidal-disruption Event in GSN 069 from the Abnormal Carbon and Nitrogen Abundance Ratio

Abstract GSN 069 is an ultra-soft X-ray active galactic nucleus that previously exhibited a huge X-ray outburst and a subsequent long-term decay. It has recently presented X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs). We report the detection of strong nitrogen lines but weak or undetectable carbon lines in its far-ultraviolet spectrum. With a detailed photoionization model, we use the C iv/N iv] ratio and other ratios between nitrogen lines to constrain the [C/N] abundance of GSN 069 to be from −3.33 to −1.91. We argue that a partially disrupted red giant star can naturally explain the abnormal C/N abundance in the UV spectrum, while the surviving core orbiting the black hole might produce the QPEs.

Multi-wavelength Observations of AT2019wey: a New Candidate Black Hole Low-mass X-ray Binary

Abstract AT2019wey (SRGA J043520.9+552226, SRGE J043523.3+552234) is a transient first reported by the ATLAS optical survey in 2019 December. It rose to prominence upon detection, three months later, by the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) mission in its first all-sky survey. X-ray observations reported in Yao et al. suggest that AT2019wey is a Galactic low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) with a black hole (BH) or neutron star (NS) accretor. Here we present ultraviolet, optical, near-infrared, and radio observations of this object. We show that the companion is a short-period (P ≲ 16 hr) low-mass (&lt;1 M ⊙) star. We consider AT2019wey to be a candidate BH system since its locations on the L radio–L X and L opt–L X diagrams are closer to BH binaries than NS binaries. We demonstrate that from 2020 June to August, despite the more than 10 times brightening at radio and X-ray wavelengths, the optical luminosity of AT2019wey only increased by 1.3–1.4 times. We interpret the UV/optical emission before the brightening as thermal emission from a truncated disk in a hot accretion flow and the UV/optical emission after the brightening as reprocessing of the X-ray emission in the outer accretion disk. AT2019wey demonstrates that combining current wide-field optical surveys and SRG provides a way to discover the emerging population of short-period BH LMXB systems with faint X-ray outbursts.