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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models

Published on: November 15, 2013

A noninteracting low-mass black hole-giant star binary system.

Todd A Thompson^1,2,3, Christopher S Kochanek^4,2, Krzysztof Z Stanek^4,2

¹Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, 140 W. 18th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA. thompson.1847@osu.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|November 2, 2019

Summary

Researchers discovered a massive unseen companion to a giant star using radial velocity and photometric data. This non-interacting black hole or neutron star system challenges previous detection methods for such binaries.

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Area of Science:

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Stellar Evolution
Binary Systems

Background:

X-ray emission is the typical method for detecting black hole binary systems with companion stars.
Non-interacting binaries are predicted to be common but require alternative detection strategies.
The study focuses on identifying such systems through indirect observational methods.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the nature of the massive unseen companion of the giant star 2MASS J05215658+4359220.
To demonstrate a novel method for detecting non-interacting binary systems.
To constrain the mass of the unseen companion.

Main Methods:

Combining radial velocity measurements with photometric variability data.
Analyzing the orbital period and eccentricity of the binary system.
Utilizing stellar parameters of the visible giant star to infer companion properties.

Main Results:

The bright giant star 2MASS J05215658+4359220 is confirmed to be in a binary system with a massive unseen companion.
The system exhibits an orbital period of approximately 83 days and near-zero eccentricity.
The unseen companion's mass is estimated to be between 5 and 10 solar masses, consistent with a low-mass black hole or a massive neutron star.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that non-interacting black hole binaries can be detected using combined radial velocity and photometric variability analysis.
The detected companion could be a low-mass black hole or an unusually massive neutron star, providing new insights into compact object formation.
This study highlights the importance of exploring alternative methods for discovering binary systems that do not exhibit X-ray emission.