Interaction of a high-mass X-ray binary with the interstellar medium through stellar wind. The case of GX 301-2

Abstract

Context. GX 301-2 is a high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) with strong stellar outflows. The evolution of these binaries can be closely related with the interstellar environment due to strong wind interactions.
Aims: We try to constrain the energy injected in the interstellar medium by GX 301-2 through stellar wind using HAWK-I and Herschel data.
Methods: We analysed HAWK-I images in four different filters (Brγ, H₂, J, and Ks) and tried to retrieve signatures of the impact of GX 301-2 on its environment. We used Herschel data to outline the interstellar medium and the Gala DR3 catalogue to infer the proper motion of GX 301-2. Finally, we estimated the energy injected in the interstellar medium since the first supernova event of the HMXB.
Results: Using both HAWK-I and Herschel images, we deduce an approximation of the total mass injected from GX 301-2 in the interstellar medium of M_inj = 3.05_-0.03^+0.05 × 10^-2 M_⊙.

Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla Paranal Observatory under program ID 099.D-0684(A).

Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.