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Response to Comment on "A noninteracting low-mass black hole-giant star binary system"
Todd A Thompson1,2, Christopher S Kochanek3,2, Krzysztof Z Stanek3,2
1Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. thompson.1847@osu.edu.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 9, 2020
Summary
The study suggests the companion to a red giant star is likely a black hole, not a binary star system. This finding impacts our understanding of stellar evolution and compact object formation in binary systems.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Stellar Astronomy
- Compact Objects
Background:
- The system 2MASS J05215658+4359220 features a red giant star with an unseen companion.
- Previous interpretations proposed the companion could be a binary star system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the nature of the unseen companion in the 2MASS J05215658+4359220 system.
- To determine the most plausible mass and composition of the companion object.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing observational data for the 2MASS J05215658+4359220 system.
- Modeling stellar masses and system configurations.
Main Results:
- The data strongly favor a red giant mass of approximately 1.7 solar masses.
- This mass implies the unseen companion is a black hole with an estimated mass of 5.3 solar masses.
Conclusions:
- The companion to the red giant in 2MASS J05215658+4359220 is most likely a black hole.
- This conclusion challenges previous hypotheses of a triple star system.
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