Catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy ($4^{th}$ edition)

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive, updated catalog of 114 high-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy, including detailed source and stellar parameters, literature references, and classifications, serving as a key resource for researchers.

Contribution

It presents the fourth edition of the catalog with expanded data, classifications, and literature coverage, improving identification and understanding of high-mass X-ray binaries.

Findings

60% are Be/X-ray binaries

32% are supergiant/X-ray binaries

Some sources are tentatively identified, requiring further study

Abstract

We present a new edition of the catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy. The catalogue contains source name(s), coordinates, finding chart, X-ray luminosity, system parameters, and stellar parameters of the components and other characteristic properties of 114 high-mass X-ray binaries, together with a comprehensive selection of the relevant literature. The aim of this catalogue is to provide the reader with some basic information on the X-ray sources and their counterparts in other wavelength ranges ($\gamma$-rays, UV, optical, IR, radio). About 60% of the high-mass X-ray binary candidates are known or suspected Be/X-ray binaries, while 32% are supergiant/X-ray binaries. Some sources, however, are only tentatively identified as high-mass X-ray binaries on the basis of their X-ray properties similar to the known high-mass X-ray binaries. Further identification in other wavelength bands is needed to finally determine the nature of these sources. In cases where there is some doubt about the high-mass nature of the X-ray binary this is mentioned. Literature published before 1 October 2005 has, as far as possible, been taken into account.