Bibcode
DOI
Hynes, R. I.; Steeghs, D.; Casares, J.; Charles, P. A.; O'Brien, K.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 583, Issue 2, pp. L95-L98.
Advertised on:
2
2003
Journal
Citations
227
Refereed citations
203
Description
We present outburst spectroscopy of GX 339-4 that may reveal the motion
of its elusive companion star. N III lines exhibit sharp emission
components moving over ~300 km s-1 in a single night. The
most plausible interpretation of these components is that they are
formed by irradiation of the companion star and the velocities indicate
its orbital motion. We also detect motion of the wings of the He II 4686
Å line and changes in its morphology. No previously proposed
period is consistent with periodic behavior of all of these measures.
However, consistent and sensible solutions are obtained for periods
around 1.7 days. For the best period, 1.7557 days, we estimate a mass
function of 5.8+/-0.5 Msolar. Even allowing for aliases, the
95% confidence lower limit on the mass function is 2.0
Msolar. GX 339-4 can therefore be added to the list of
dynamical black hole candidates. This is supported by the small motion
in the wings of the He II line; if the compact object velocity is not
larger than the observed motion, then the mass ratio is q<~0.08,
similar to other systems harboring black holes. Finally, we note that
the sharp components are not always present but do seem to occur within
a repeating phase range. This appears to migrate between our epochs of
observation and may indicate shielding of the companion star by a
variable accretion geometry such as a warp.