XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: XMMU J004814.1-731003, a 25.55 s Be/X-ray binary pulsar

Abstract

To investigate candidates for Be/X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), we observed a region around the emission nebula N19 with XMM-Newton in October 2006. We analysed the EPIC data of the detected point sources to derive their spectral and temporal characteristics. We detected X-ray pulsations with a period of 25.550(2) s from the second-brightest source in the field, which we designate XMMU J004814.1-731003. The X-ray spectrum is well modelled by a highly absorbed (NH = 5x10^22) powerlaw with photon index 1.33+/-0.27. The precise X-ray position allows us to identify a Be star as the optical counterpart. XMMU J004814.1-731003 is located within the error circle of the transient ASCA source AX J0048.2-7309, but its position is inconsistent with that of the proposed optical counterpart of AX J0048.2-7309 (the emission line star [MA93] 215). It remains unclear if XMMU J004814.1-731003 is associated with AX J0048.2-7309. XMMU J004814.1-731003 might be identical to an RXTE pulsar that was discovered with a period of 25.5 s, but which is listed as 51 s pulsar in the recent literature.

arXiv comment5 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in A&A

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• XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: Be/X-ray binary pulsars active between October 2006 and June 2007
• A Comprehensive Library of X-ray Pulsars in the Small Magellanic Cloud: Time Evolution of their Luminosities and Spin Periods
• Optical spectroscopy of 20 Be/X-ray Binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud
• The Chandra survey of the SMC "Bar": II. Optical counterparts of X-ray sources
• The Chandra ACIS Timing Survey Project: glimpsing a sample of faint X-ray pulsators
• Multi-wavelength properties of IGR J05007-7047 (LXP 38.55) and identification as a Be X-ray binary pulsar in the LMC
• Highly absorbed X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud
• Deep Chandra Survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud. II. Timing Analysis of X-ray Pulsars
• A multi-observatory database of X-ray pulsars in the Magellanic Clouds
• The eROSITA DR1 variability catalogue
• The Search for High-Mass X-ray Binaries in the Phoenix Dwarf Galaxy