The 2008 May burst activation of SGR 1627-41

TL;DR

In May 2008, SGR 1627-41 reactivated after nearly a decade, exhibiting bursts with similar properties to previous activity, accompanied by increased flux and spectral hardening, as observed by Swift and XMM-Newton.

Contribution

This study provides a detailed analysis of the 2008 burst activity of SGR 1627-41, including spectral and temporal properties, and compares it with prior observations to understand its reactivation.

Findings

Burst peak luminosity ~2×10^41 erg/s

Spectral hardening during outburst

Similar burst properties to previous SGR activity

Abstract

In May 2008 the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1627-41 resumed its bursting activity after nearly a decade of quiescence. After detection of a bright burst, Swift pointed its X-ray telescope in the direction of the source in less than five hours and followed it for over five weeks. In this paper we present an analysis of the data from these Swift observations and an XMM-Newton one performed when SGR 1627-41 was still in a quiescent state. The analysis of the bursts detected with Swift/BAT shows that their temporal and spectral properties are similar to those found in previous observations of SGR 1627-41 and other soft gamma-ray repeaters. The maximum peak luminosity of the bursts was about 2E+41 erg/s. Our data show that the outburst was accompanied by a fast flux enhancement and by a hardening of the spectrum with respect to the persistent emission.