XMMSL1 J060636.2-694933: An XMM-Newton slew discovery and Swift/Magellan follow up of a new classical nova in the LMC

A. M. Read, R. D. Saxton, P. G. Jonker, E. Kuulkers, P. Esquej, G. Pojmanski, M. A.P. Torres, M. R. Goad, M. J. Freyberg, M. Modjaz

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Aims. In order to discover new X-ray transients, the data taken by XMM-Newton as it slews between targets are being processed and cross-correlated with other X-ray observations.Methods. A bright source, XMMSL1 J060636.2-694933, was detected on 18 July 2006 at a position where no previous X-ray source had been seen. The XMM-Newton slew data, plus follow-up dedicated XMM-Newton and Swift observations, plus optical data acquired with the Magellan Clay telescope, and archival All-Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) data were used to classify the new object, and to investigate its properties.Results. No XMM-Newton slew X-ray counts are detected above 1 keV and the source is seen to be over five hundred times brighter than the ROSAT All-Sky Survey upper limit at that position. The line-rich optical spectrum acquired with the Magellan telescope allows the object to be classified as an A auroral phase nova, and the soft X-ray spectrum indicates that the nova was in a super-soft source state in the X-ray decline seen in the follow-up X-ray observations. The archival ASAS data suggests that the nova at onset (Oct 2005) was a "very fast" nova, and an estimate of its distance is consistent with the nova being situated within the LMC.Conclusions. With the discovery presented here of a new classical nova in the LMC, it is clear that XMM-Newton slew data are continuing to offer a powerful opportunity to find new X-ray transient objects.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1309-1317
    Number of pages9
    JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
    Volume506
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Nov 2 2009

    Keywords

    • Stars: individual: XMMSL1 J060636.2-694933
    • Stars: novae, cataclysmic variables
    • Surveys
    • X-rays: general

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Space and Planetary Science

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