Pulsars, transients and relativistic astrophysics

Abstract:

Tracking the correlation between radio and X-ray luminosities during black hole X-ray binary outbursts is a key diagnostic of the coupling between accretion inflows (traced by X-rays) and relativistic jet outflows (traced by radio). We present the radio–X-ray correlation of the black hole low-mass X-ray binary Swift J1727.8–1613 during its 2023–2024 outburst. Our observations span a broad dynamic range, covering 4 orders of magnitude in radio luminosity and 6.5 in X-ray luminosity. This source follows an unusually radio-quiet track, exhibiting significantly lower radio luminosities at a given X-ray luminosity than both the standard (radio-loud) track and most previously known radio-quiet systems. Across most of the considered distance range (–4.3 kpc), Swift J1727.8–1613 appears to be the most radio-quiet black hole binary identified to date. For distances kpc, while Swift J1727 becomes comparable to one other extremely radio-quiet system, its peak X-ray luminosity ( erg s) exceeds that of any previously reported hard-state black hole low-mass X-ray binary, emphasizing the extremity of this outburst. Additionally, for the first time in a radio-quiet system, we identify the onset of X-ray spectral softening to coincide with a change in trajectory through the radio–X-ray plane. We assess several proposed explanations for radio-quiet behaviour in black hole systems in light of this data set. As with other such sources, however, no single mechanism fully accounts for the observed properties, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and the value of comprehensive (quasi-)simultaneous data-sets.

Abstract:

We present ultraviolet to infrared observations of the extraordinary Type IIn supernova 2023zkd (SN 2023zkd). Photometrically, it exhibits persistent and luminous precursor emission spanning ∼4 yr preceding discovery (Mr ≈ −15 mag, 1500 days in the observer frame), followed by a secondary stage of gradual brightening in its final year. Post-discovery, it exhibits two photometric peaks of comparable brightness (Mr ≲ −18.7 mag and Mr ≈ −18.4 mag, respectively) separated by 240 days. Spectroscopically, SN 2023zkd exhibits highly asymmetric and multicomponent Balmer and He I profiles that we attribute to ejecta interaction with fast-moving (1000–2000 km s−1) He-rich polar material and slow-moving (∼400 km s−1) equatorially distributed H-rich material. He II features also appear during the second light curve peak and evolve rapidly. Shock-driven models fit to the multiband photometry suggest that the event is powered by interaction with ∼5–6 M⊙ of CSM, with 2–3 M⊙ associated with each light curve peak, expelled during mass-loss episodes ∼3–4 yr and ∼1–2 yr prior to explosion. The observed precursor emission, combined with the extreme mass-loss rates required to power each light curve peak, favors either super-Eddington accretion onto a black hole or multiple long-lived eruptions from a massive star to luminosities that have not been previously observed. We consider multiple progenitor scenarios for SN 2023zkd, and find that the brightening optical precursor and inferred explosion properties are most consistent with a massive (MZAMS ≥ 30 M⊙) and partially stripped He star undergoing an instability-induced merger with a black hole companion.