The double infrared source toward the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14

  • F. J. Vrba
  • , C. B. Luginbuhl
  • , K. C. Hurley
  • , P. Li
  • , S. R. Kulkarni
  • , M. H. Van Kerkwijk
  • , D. H. Hartmann
  • , L. E. Campusano
  • , M. J. Graham
  • , R. G. Clowes
  • , C. Kouveliotou
  • , R. Probst
  • , I. Gatley
  • , M. Merrill
  • , R. Joyce
  • , R. Mendez
  • , I. Smith
  • , A. Schultz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report the results of an extensive set of optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the double infrared source reported by Hartmann et al. (1995) as a potential counterpart for the Galactic soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14. These objects are found to be variable but otherwise normal M5 supergiant stars at a distance of ≈ 12-15 kpc and extinguished by Av ≈ 19.2 mag, primarily by the general interstellar medium. We argue that the supergiants are likely gravitationally bound. These stars are positionally coincident with both quiescent X-ray and IRAS sources, suggestive of a yet-undetected third component to the system which may be responsible for the SGR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)225-230
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume468
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Gamma rays: bursts
  • Gamma rays: observations
  • Supergiants

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