Searching for X-Ray Binaries with Large-Scale Optical Variability Surveys
Prof. Eric Bellm, University of Washington
      
      Thursday, October 3, 2019
      
      
        
                
        4:00 pm - 7:59 pm 
        
      
      
      
    
      
Binary systems containing neutron stars and black holes are crucial to understanding accretion physics as well as stellar and binary evolution. However, current X-ray surveys have only identified a small fraction of the number of Galactic X-ray binaries expected from population synthesis. These systems exhibit a range of variability signatures in optical bands which can be identified with current and future optical variability surveys. I will describe ongoing searches with the Zwicky Transient Facility as well as prospects for discoveries with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.
 
        