The black hole candidate MAXIJ1659-152 in and towards quiescence in X-ray and radio

TL;DR

This study analyzes the decay of the black hole candidate MAXI J1659-152 using radio and X-ray observations, exploring its luminosity, distance, and accretion-ejection behavior during outburst decay, revealing deviations from typical correlations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the low-luminosity behavior and inclination effects of MAXI J1659-152, especially in the radio-X-ray luminosity correlation during outburst decay.

Findings

Estimated distance of 6±2 kpc for MAXI J1659-152.

Higher than expected quiescent X-ray luminosity based on orbital period.

Observed transition in radio-X-ray correlation at low luminosities.

Abstract

In this paper we report on Expanded Very Large Array radio and Chandra and Swift X-ray observations of the outburst decay of the transient black hole candidate MAXI J1659-152 in 2011. We discuss the distance to the source taking the high inclination into account and we conclude that the source distance is probably 6+-2 kpc. The lowest observed flux corresponds to a luminosity of 2x10^31 (d/6 kpc)^2 erg/s This, together with the orbital period of 2.4 hr reported in the literature, suggests that the quiescent X-ray luminosity is higher than predicted on the basis of the orbital period -- quiescent X-ray luminosity relationship. The relation between the accretion and ejection mechanisms can be studied using the observed correlation between the radio and X-ray luminosities as these evolve over an outburst. We determine the behaviour of MAXI J1659-152 in the radio -- X-ray diagram at low X-ray luminosities using the observations reported in this paper and at high X-ray luminosities using values reported in the literature. At high X-ray luminosities the source lies closer to the sources that follow a correlation index steeper than 0.6-0.7. However, when compared to other sources that follow a steeper correlation index, the X-ray luminosity in MAXI J1659-152 is also lower. The latter can potentially be explained by the high inclination of MAXI J1659-152 if the X-ray emission comes from close to the source and the radio emission is originating in a more extended region. However, it is probable that the source was not in the canonical low-hard state during these radio observations and this may affect the behaviour of the source as well. At intermediate X-ray luminosities the source makes the transition from the radio underluminous sources in the direction of the relation traced by the 'standard' correlation similar to what has been reported for H1743-322. (abridged)