IGR J17448-3232 point source: A blazar candidate viewed through the Galactic centre?

TL;DR

This study investigates the nature of the X-ray point source IGR J17448-3232, suggesting it is more likely a blazar seen through the Galactic plane rather than a neutron star associated with a supernova remnant.

Contribution

The paper provides multi-wavelength analysis indicating the source is a blazar, challenging previous assumptions of it being a neutron star linked to a supernova remnant.

Findings

Infrared counterpart identified from 2.2 to 24 microns.

Spectral data consistent with a reddened, absorbed power law.

Emission likely non-thermal, possibly synchrotron, not a pulsar.

Abstract

The error region of the INTEGRAL source, IGR J17448-3232, contains an X-ray point source at the edge of a ~3' radius extended X-ray source. It has been suggested that the extended emission is a young supernovae remnant (SNR) while the point source may be an isolated neutron star, associated with the SNR, that received a kick when the supernova occurred. We identify the infrared counterpart of the X-ray point source, visible from 2.2 to 24 microns, and place limits on the flux at longer wavelengths by comparison with radio catalogues. Multi-wavelength spectral modeling shows that the data are consistent with a reddened and absorbed single power law over five orders of magnitude in frequency. This implies non-thermal, possibly synchrotron emission that renders the previous identification of this source as a possible pulsar, and its association to the SNR, unlikely; we instead propose that the emission may be due to a blazar viewed through the plane of the Galaxy.