
arXiv: 1101.3483
We report on a 63ks Chandra observation of the X-ray transient Swift J195509.6+261406 discovered as the afterglow of what was first believed to be a long duration Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB 070610). The outburst of this source was characterized by unique optical flares on timescales of second or less, morphologically similar to the short X-ray bursts usually observed from magnetars. Our Chandra observation was performed ~2 years after the discovery of the optical and X-ray flaring activity of this source, catching it in its quiescent state. We derive stringent upper limits on the quiescent emission of Swif J195509.6+261406 which argues against the possibility of this object being a typical magnetar. Our limits show that the most viable interpretation on the nature of this peculiar bursting source, is a binary system hosting a black hole or a neutron star with a low mass companion star (< 0.12 M_{\odot}), and with an orbital period smaller than a few hours.
5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE), Stars: magnetic field, Astronomy, FOS: Physical sciences, magnetic field, X-rays: stars, individual (SWIFT J195509.6+261406) [X-rays], 530, Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies, 520, magnetic field [Stars], X-rays: individual (SWIFT J195509.6+261406), Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA), Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Astronomía y Astrofísica, stars [X-rays]
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE), Stars: magnetic field, Astronomy, FOS: Physical sciences, magnetic field, X-rays: stars, individual (SWIFT J195509.6+261406) [X-rays], 530, Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies, 520, magnetic field [Stars], X-rays: individual (SWIFT J195509.6+261406), Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA), Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Astronomía y Astrofísica, stars [X-rays]
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 12 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
