Comment on "A non-interacting low-mass black hole -- giant star binary system"

Abstract

Thompson et al. (Reports, 1 November 2019, p. 637, Science) interpreted the unseen companion of the red giant star 2MASS J05215658+4359220 as most likely a black hole. We argue that if the red giant is about one solar mass, its companion can be a close binary consisting of two main-sequence stars. This would explain why no X-ray emission is detected from the system.

3 pages, Author version of Technical Comment published in Science on 8 May, 2020

References in corpus (4)

• Comparative statistics and origin of triple and quadruple stars
• Mass loss on the red giant branch: the value and metallicity dependence of Reimers' η in globular clusters
• A Comparison of the Variability of the Symbiotic X-ray Binaries GX 1+4, 4U 1954+31, and 4U 1700+24 from Swift/BAT and RXTE/ASM Observations
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• Is HR 6819 a triple system containing a black hole? -- An alternative explanation
• Inferring the maximum and minimum mass of merging neutron stars with gravitational waves
• Response to Comment on "A Non-Interacting Low-Mass Black Hole -- Giant Star Binary System"