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Abstract
We report the detection and mass measurement of a binary lens
OGLE-2015-BLG-1285La,b, with the more massive component having
M1 > 1.35 M⊙ (80% probability). A
main-sequence star in this mass range is ruled out by limits on blue
light, meaning that a primary in this mass range must be a neutron star
(NS) or black hole (BH). The system has a projected separation
r⊥ = 6.1 ± 0.4 AU and lies in the Galactic bulge.
These measurements are based on the “microlens parallax”
effect, i.e., comparing the microlensing light curve as seen from
Spitzer, which lay at 1.25 AU projected from Earth, to the light curves
from four ground-based surveys, three in the optical and one in the
near-infrared. Future adaptive optics imaging of the companion by 30 m
class telescopes will yield a much more accurate measurement of the
primary mass. This discovery both opens the path and defines the
challenges to detecting and characterizing BHs and NSs in wide binaries,
with either dark or luminous companions. In particular, we discuss
lessons that can be applied to future Spitzer and Kepler K2 microlensing
parallax observations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 111 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 814 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 23 Nov 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
Keywords
- Binaries: general
- Black hole physics
- Galaxy: bulge
- Gravitational lensing: micro
- Stars: neutron
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Spitzer microlens measurement of a massive remnant in a well-separated binary'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
-
Astronomy at St Andrews 2015-2018: Astronomy at St Andrews 2015-2018
Jardine, M. (PI), Cameron, A. (CoI), Cyganowski, C. (CoI), Horne, K. (CoI) & Wood, K. (CoI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/04/15 → 31/03/18
Project: Standard
-
Astrophysics at St Andrews:2012 - 2014: Astrophysics at St Andrews: 2012 - 2014
Horne, K. (PI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/10/11 → 31/03/12
Project: Standard
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