Investigating the true nature of three hard X-ray sources

TL;DR

This study uses multiwavelength data to accurately classify three high energy sources, revealing a Galactic Cataclysmic Variable, two Seyfert 2 galaxies, and a likely Symbiotic X-ray binary, thus clarifying their true natures.

Contribution

It provides detailed multiwavelength analysis that reclassifies three high energy sources, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive data in source identification.

Findings

IGR J12134-6015 is a Galactic Cataclysmic Variable.

Two sources are identified as Seyfert 2 galaxies.

Swift J2037.2+4151 is likely a Symbiotic X-ray binary.

Abstract

Many of the new high energy sources discovered both by INTEGRAL/IBIS and Swift/BAT have been characterised thanks to extensive, multi-band follow-up campaigns, but there are still objects whose nature remains to be asserted. In this paper we investigate the true nature of three high energy sources, IGR J12134-6015, IGR J16058-7253 and Swift J2037.2+4151, employing multiwavelength data from the NIR to the X-rays. Through Gaia and ESO-VLT measurements and through Swift/XRT X-ray spectral analysis, we re-evaluate the classification for IGR J12134-6015, arguing that the source is a Galactic object and in particular a Cataclysmic Variable. We were able to confirm, thanks to NuSTAR observations, that the hard X-ray emission detected by INTEGRAL/IBIS and Swift/BAT from IGR J16058-7253 is coming from two Seyfert 2 galaxies which are both counterparts for this source. Through optical and X-ray spectral analysis of Swift J2037.2+4151 we find that this source is likely part of the rare and peculiar class of Symbiotic X-ray binaries and displays flux and spectral variability as well as interesting spectral features, such as a blending of several emission lines around the iron line complex.