The mass of the black hole in LMC X-3
A.K.F. Val-Baker, A.J. Norton, I. Negueruela
TL;DR
This study refines the black hole mass estimate in LMC X-3 by high-resolution spectroscopy, accounting for irradiation effects that influence the donor star's spectral type and radial velocity measurements.
Contribution
It provides a new measurement of the donor star's radial velocity and black hole mass, considering irradiation effects, improving previous estimates.
Findings
Black hole mass estimated between 9.5 and 13.6 solar masses.
Spectral type of donor varies with phase due to irradiation.
Radial velocity semi-amplitude measured at 256.7 km/s.
Abstract
New high resolution, optical spectroscopy of the high mass X-ray binary LMC X-3, shows the spectral type of the donor star changes with phase due to irradiation by the X-ray source. We find the spectral type is likely to be B5V, and only appears as B3V when viewing the heated side of the donor. Combining our measurements with those previously published, and taking into account the effects of X-ray irradiation, results in a value for the donor star radial velocity semi-amplitude of 256.7 +/- 4.9 km/s. We find the mass of the black hole lies in the range 9.5 - 13.6 solar masses.
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