Free access article

A&A 461, L17-L20 (2007)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20066520

Letter

IGR J17497-2821 : a new X-ray nova

R. Walter^{1, 2}, P. Lubinski^{3, 1}, S. Paltani^{1, 2}, N. Produit^{1, 2}, J. Zurita⁴, E. Kuulkers⁵, V. Beckmann^{6, 7}, N. Gehrels⁶, A. Blecha², F. Carrier⁸, and M. Cherix<sup>2

1</sup>  Science Data Centre, Chemin d'Écogia 16, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland
²  Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva, Chemin des Maillettes 51, 1290 Sauverny, Switzerland
    e-mail: Roland.Walter@obs.unige.ch
³  N. Copernicus Astronomical Center, Bartycka 18, 00-716 Warsaw, Poland
⁴  AIM - Astrophysique Interactions Multi-Échelles, CEA Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA/SAp, Bât. 709, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
⁵  ISOC, ESAC/ESA, Apartado 50727, 28080 Madrid, Spain
⁶  NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Astrophysics Science Division, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
⁷  University of Maryland Baltimore County, Joint Center for Astrophysics, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
⁸  Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

(Received 7 October 2006 / Accepted 17 November 2006)

Abstract
Context.A new hard X-ray transient has been discovered by INTEGRAL on 2006 Sep. 17 at 1 degree from the Galactic Centre.
Aims.INTEGRAL, Swift/XRT and optical photometric observations are used to characterize IGR J17497-2821 and to unveil its nature.
Methods.The X-ray position has been refined to arcsec level through a study of the optical variability of the possible counterparts. Hard X-ray variability and spectroscopy are used to determine the nature of the source outburst.
Results. IGR J17497-2821 is a new X-ray Nova in low-hard state, probably a new Black-Hole Candidate.

Key words: gamma rays: observations -- X-rays: individuals: IGR J17497-2821

© ESO 2006

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