The infrared counterpart to the magnetar 1RXS J170849.0-400910

Abstract

We have analyzed both archival and new infrared imaging observations of the field of the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1RXS J170849.0-400910, in search of the infrared counterpart. This field has been previously investigated, and one of the sources consistent with the position of the AXP suggested as the counterpart. We, however, find that this object is more likely a background star, while another object within the positional error circle has non-stellar colors and shows evidence for variability. These two pieces of evidence, along with a consistency argument for the X-ray-to-infrared flux ratio, point to the second source being the more likely infrared counterpart to the AXP.

arXiv comment19 pages AASTEX, 4 figure. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Full resolution figures at: http://www.astro.utoronto.ca/~durant/1708.ps.gz

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• A Mid-Infrared Counterpart to the Magnetar 1E 2259+586
• Optical and Infrared Emission from the AXPs and SGRs
• Adaptive optics near-infrared observations of magnetars
• Where are the magnetar binary companions? Candidates from a comparison with binary population synthesis predictions
• VLT/NACO observations of the High-Magnetic field radio pulsar PSR J1119-6127
• Spitzer Mid-infrared Upper Limits on Anomalous X-Ray Pulsars 1E 1048.1-5937, 1RXS J170849-400910, and XTE J1810-197
• New candidates for magnetar counterparts from a deep search with the Hubble Space Telescope
• The infrared counterpart and proper motion of magnetar SGR0501+4516