C. T. Britt

THE GALACTIC BULGE SURVEY: OUTLINE AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS

We introduce the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS) and we provide the Chandra source list for the region that has been observed to date. Among the goals of the GBS are constraining the neutron star (NS) equation of state and the black hole (BH) mass distribution via the identification of eclipsing NS and BH low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). The latter goal will, in addition, be obtained by significantly enlarging the number of BH systems for which a BH mass can be derived. Further goals include constraining X-ray binary formation scenarios, in particular the common envelope phase and the occurrence of kicks, via source-type number counts and an investigation of the spatial distribution of X-ray binaries, respectively. The GBS targets two strips of 6° × 1° (12 deg2 in total), one above (1° < b < 2°) and one below (-2° < b < -1°) the Galactic plane in the direction of the Galactic center at both X-ray and optical wavelengths. By avoiding the Galactic plane (-1° < b < 1°) we limit the influence of extinction on the X-ray and optical emission but still sample relatively large number densities of sources. The survey is designed such that a large fraction of the X-ray sources can be identified from their optical spectra. The X-ray survey, by design, covers a large area on the sky while the depth is shallow using 2 ks per Chandra pointing. In this way we maximize the predicted number ratio of (quiescent) LMXBs to cataclysmic variables. The survey is approximately homogeneous in depth to a 0.5-10 keV flux of 7.7 × 10-14 erg cm-2 s-1. So far, we have covered about two-thirds (8.3 deg2) of the projected survey area with Chandra providing over 1200 unique X-ray sources. We discuss the characteristics and the variability of the brightest of these sources.

Identification of 23 accreting binaries in the Galactic Bulge Survey

We present the identification of optical counterparts to 23 GBS X-ray sources. All sources are classified as accreting binaries according to the emission-line characteristics inferred from medium-resolution spectroscopy. To distinguish accreting binaries from chromospherically active objects, we develop criteria based on Hα and He i λλ5786, 6678 emission-line properties available in the literature. The spectroscopic properties and photometric variability of each object is discussed and a classification is given where possible. At least 12 of the 23 systems show an accretion-dominated optical spectrum and another 6 show stellar absorption features in addition to emission lines indicating that they are probably accreting binaries in quiescence or in a low accretion rate state. Two sources are confirmed to be eclipsing: CX207 and CX794. CX207 is likely a magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV), while CX794 is a nova-like CV in the period gap. Finally, the large broadening (2100 km s−1 FWHM) of the Hα emission lines in CX446 and CX1004 suggests that they are also high-inclination or even eclipsing systems. Whether the compact object is a white dwarf in an eclipsing CV, a neutron star or a black hole in a high-inclination low-mass X-ray binary remains to be established.

The Galactic Bulge Survey: Completion of the X-Ray Survey Observations

We provide the Chandra source list for the last ~quarter of the area covered by the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS). The GBS targets two strips of 6° × 1° (12 square degrees in total), one above (1° < b < 2°) and one below (–2° < b < –1°) the Galactic plane in the direction of the Galactic center at X-ray, optical, and near-infrared wavelengths. For the X-ray part of the survey we use 2 ks per Chandra pointing. We find 424 X-ray sources in the 63 Chandra observations on which we report here. These sources are in addition to the 1216 X-ray sources discovered in the first part of the GBS survey described previously. We discuss the characteristics and the X-ray variability of the brightest of the sources as well as the radio properties from existing radio surveys. We point out an interesting asymmetry in the number of X-ray sources as a function of their Galactic l and b coordinates which is probably caused by differences in average extinction toward the different parts of the GBS survey area.

Radio sources in the Chandra Galactic Bulge survey

We discuss radio sources in the Chandra Galactic Bulge Survey region. By cross-matching the X-ray sources in this field with the NRAO VLA Sky Survey archival data, we find 12 candidate matches. We present a classification scheme for radio/X-ray matches in surveys taken in or near the Galactic plane, taking into account other multiwavelength data. We show that none of the matches found here is likely to be due to coronal activity from normal stars because the radio to X-ray flux ratios are systematically too high. We show that one of the source could be a radio pulsar, and that one could be a planetary nebula, but that the bulk of the sources are likely to be background active galactic nuclei (AGN), with many confirmed through a variety of approaches. Several of the AGN are bright enough in the near-infrared (and presumably in the optical) to use as probes of the interstellar medium in the inner Galaxy.

IDENTIFICATION OF GALACTIC BULGE SURVEY X-RAY SOURCES WITH TYCHO-2 STARS

We identify 69 X-ray sources discovered by the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS) that are coincident with or very close to bright stars in the Tycho-2 catalog. Additionally, two other GBS sources are resolved binary companions to Tycho-2 stars where both components are separately detected in X-rays. Most of these are likely to be real matches, but we identify nine objects with large and significant X-ray-to-optical offsets as either detections of resolved binary companions or chance alignments. We collate known spectral types for these objects, and also examine Two Micron All Sky Survey colors, variability information from the All-Sky Automated Survey, and X-ray hardness ratios for the brightest objects. Nearly a third of the stars are found to be optically variable, divided roughly evenly between irregular variations and periodic modulations. All fall among the softest objects identified by the GBS. The sample forms a very mixed selection, ranging in spectral class from O9 to M3. In some cases, the X-ray emission appears consistent with normal coronal emission from late-type stars, or wind emission from early-types, but the sample also includes one known Algol, one W UMa system, two Be stars, and several X-ray bright objects likely to be coronally active stars or binaries. Surprisingly, a substantial fraction of the spectroscopically classified, non-coincidental sample (12 out of 38 objects) have late B or A type counterparts. Many of these exhibit redder near-IR colors than expected for their spectral type and/or variability, and it is likely that the X-rays originate from a late-type companion star in most or all of these objects.

CXOGBS J174444.7−260330: a new long orbital period cataclysmic variable in a low state

We present phase-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of a source discovered with the Chandra Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS), CXOGBS J174444.7-260330 (aka CX93 and CX153 in the previously published GBS list). We find two possible values for the orbital period P, differing from each other by ~13 s. The most likely solution is P = 5.690 14(6) h. The optical lightcurves show ellipsoidal modulations, whose modelling provides an inclination of 32±1° for the most likely P. The spectra are dominated by a K5 V companion star (the disc veiling is 5 per cent). Broad and structured emission from the Balmer lines is also detected, as well as fainter emission from He I. From the absorption lines we measure K2 = 117 ± 8kms-1 and v sin i = 69 ± 7kms-1. By solving the system mass function we find M1 = 0.8 ± 0.2 M⊙ for the favoured P and i, consistent with a white dwarf accretor, and M2 = 0.6 ± 0.2 M⊙. We estimate a distance in the range 400-700 pc. Although in a low accretion state, both spectroscopy and photometry provide evidence of variability on a time-scale of months or faster. Besides finding a new, long orbital period cataclysmic variable (CV) in a low accretion state, this work shows that the design of the GBS works efficiently to find accreting X-ray binaries in quiescence, highlighting that the spectra of CVs in a low accretion state can at times appear suggestive of a quiescent neutron star or a black hole system.

VARIABILITY OF OPTICAL COUNTERPARTS IN THE CHANDRA GALACTIC BULGE SURVEY

We present optical light curves of variable stars consistent with the positions of X-ray sources identified with the Chandra X-ray Observatory for the Chandra Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS). Using data from the Mosaic-II instrument on the Blanco 4 m Telescope at CTIO, we gathered time-resolved photometric data on timescales from ~2 hr to 8 days over the 3/4 of the X-ray survey containing sources from the initial GBS catalog. Among the light curve morphologies we identify are flickering in interacting binaries, eclipsing sources, dwarf nova outbursts, ellipsoidal variations, long period variables, spotted stars, and flare stars. Eighty-seven percent of X-ray sources have at least one potential optical counterpart. Twenty-seven percent of these candidate counterparts are detectably variable; a much greater fraction than expected for randomly selected field stars, which suggests that most of these variables are real counterparts. We discuss individual sources of interest, provide variability information on candidate counterparts, and discuss the characteristics of the variable population.

Near-infrared counterparts to the Galactic Bulge Survey X-ray source population

We report on the near-infrared matches, drawn from three surveys, to the 1640 unique X-ray sources detected by Chandra in the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS). This survey targets faint X-ray sources in the bulge, with a particular focus on accreting compact objects. We present all viable counterpart candidates and associate a false alarm probability (FAP) to each near-infrared match in order to identify the most likely counterparts. The FAP takes into account a statistical study involving a chance alignment test, as well as considering the positional accuracy of the individual X-ray sources. We find that although the star density in the bulge is very high, ∼90 per cent of our sources have an FAP <10 per cent, indicating that for most X-ray sources, viable near-infrared counterparts candidates can be identified. In addition to the FAP, we provide positional and photometric information for candidate counterparts to ∼95 per cent of the GBS X-ray sources. This information in combination with optical photometry, spectroscopy and variability constraints will be crucial to characterize and classify secure counterparts.

THE ORBITAL PERIOD OF SCORPIUS X-1

The orbital period of Sco X-1 was first identified by Gottlieb et al. While this has been confirmed on multiple occasions, this work, based on nearly a century of photographic data, has remained the reference in defining the system ephemeris ever since. It was, however, called into question when Vanderlinde et al. claimed to find the one-year alias of the historical period in RXTE/All-Sky Monitor data and suggested that this was the true period rather than that of Gottlieb et al. We examine data from the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) spanning 2001-2009. We confirm that the period of Gottlieb et al. is in fact the correct one, at least in the optical, with the one-year alias strongly rejected by these data. We also provide a modern time of minimum light based on the ASAS data.

Gemini spectroscopy of Galactic Bulge Sources: a population of hidden accreting binaries revealed?

We present Gemini spectroscopy for 21 candidate optical counterparts to X-ray sources discovered in the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS). For the majority of the 21 sources, the optical spectroscopy establishes that they are indeed the likely co unterparts. One of the criteria we used for the identification was the presence of an H α emission line. The spectra of several sources revealed an Hα emission line only after careful subtraction of the F or G ste llar spectral absorption lines. In a sub-class of three of these s ources the residual Hα emission line is broad ( > 400 km s −1 ) which suggests that it is formed in an accretion disk, whereas in other cases the line width is such that we currently cannot determine whether the line emission is formed in an active star/binary or in an accretion disk. GBS source CX377 shows this hiddenaccretion behaviour most dramatically. The previously-identified broad H α emission of this source is not present in its Gemini spectra taken ∼1 year later. However, broad emission is revealed after subtracting an F6 template star spectrum. The Gemini spectra of three sources (CX446, CX1004, and CXB2) as well as the presence of possible eclipses in light curves of these sources suggest that these sources are accreting bina ries viewed under a high inclination.