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X. Pan, S. Shaklan (JPL)
Black hole objects in the Galaxy are among the most interesting targets for the Space Interferometry Mission(SIM). In many X-ray binaries the compact sources are galactic black holes (BHs) with accretion from companion stars. Modern theories of formation and evolution of BH objects depend on knowledge of their mass distributions. Some indirect methods provide preliminary mass ratio estimates. However, because of large distance ( > 1 kpc) and lack of measurement of inclination there are no reliable estimates of physical parameters for BH candidates with high mass companions.
SIM, an astrometric mission in space, can provide both parallax and photocentric orbits with accuracy of a few uas. In this work, we combine simulated SIM observations and other techniques to observe the well-known BH candidate, Cyg X-1. The physical parameters of that system are estimated. Simulated 1-D observations of Cyg X-1 by SIM are demonstrated. We present plausible orbit of Cyg X-1 and error analysis. Two observation strategies in wide-angle mode are proposed in order to reach high accuracy with minimum observation time.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.