A search for optical counterparts in quiescent black hole X-ray transients

¹ Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, E-38205 La Laguna, S/C de Tenerife, Spain
² Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna, E-38206 La Laguna, S/C de Tenerife, Spain
³ Astrophysics Research Cluster, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
⁴ Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HA, UK
⁵ Department of Astrophysics/IMAPP, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
⁶ Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK

^★ Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 14 October 2025
Accepted: 21 February 2026

Abstract

Dynamical mass measurements of compact stars in X-ray transients demand the detection of optical/near-infrared counterparts in quiescence. Out of the 73 black hole candidates in X-ray transients, optical and near-infrared quiescent counterparts have only been identified for 34 objects. We present ULTRACAM photometric observations of nine candidate black hole X-ray transients with no reported counterparts in quiescence, complemented with data from the public surveys, DECaPS and Pan-STARRS. In addition, we analyze photometry of three sources (SWIFT J1539.2-6227, XTE J1817-330, and XTE J1818-245) obtained during their discovery outburst. The data provide the first optical identifications and precise astrometry of four targets (MAXI J1348-630, SWIFT J1539.2-6227, XTE J1726-476, and XTE J1817-330) plus 3σ lower limits to the quiescent optical magnitudes for an additional five (MAXI J0637-430, 4U 1755-338, MAXI J1803-298, XTE J1818-245, and MAXI J1828-249). Of these five, 4U 1755-338 was found to be active during our ULTRACAM observations, and we used our images to derive refined astrometric coordinates. We used the photometric magnitudes and colors to place preliminary constraints on the orbital periods and spectral types of the companion stars. Finding charts of all the targets are also provided to facilitate future follow-up studies. Finally, we present updated astrometry for XTE J1650-500 using archival FORS2 images.