Searching for X-Ray Binaries with Large-Scale Optical Variability Surveys

Prof. Eric Bellm, University of Washington
Thu, 3 October, 2019 4:00pm

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.


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