Direct spectroscopic observation of matter falling onto a compact stellar object

Rahin R, Ballhausen R, Islam N, Leutenegger MA, Behar E, Zamora D, Coley J, Hell N, Kallman T, Lorenz M, Pradhan P, Wilms J, Zainab A (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Science Advances American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: eaef6686-

Journal Issue: 38

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aef6686

Abstract

GX 301-2 is an accreting x-ray pulsar with a massive hypergiant companion WRAY 977, embedded within a dense circumstellar environment. We report on detected redshifted hydrogen- and helium-like iron lines, together with transitions from lower ionization states, observed with XRISM/Resolve during an x-ray flare. Notably, these spectral features evolve from absorption lines at the beginning of the observation to emission lines at the end, with intervening phases exhibiting a mixture of both absorption and emission features. This behavior constitutes direct evidence of inflowing material accreting onto the neutron star. The results suggest a dynamic accretion geometry, evolving from predominantly radial inflow to a transverse, potentially disk-like configuration during the x-ray flare. Observations of inflowing matter thus constitute a direct test of accretion hypotheses and highlight the complex interplay between stellar wind and transient accretion disks in wind-accreting systems.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maximilian Lorenz Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut Jörn Wilms

Involved external institutions

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) US United States (USA) (US) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) US United States (USA) (US) Technion - Israel Institute of Technology IL Israel (IL) U.S. Naval Academy US United States (USA) (US) Howard University US United States (USA) (US) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Rahin, R., Ballhausen, R., Islam, N., Leutenegger, M.A., Behar, E., Zamora, D.,... Zainab, A. (2026). Direct spectroscopic observation of matter falling onto a compact stellar object. Science Advances, 12(38), eaef6686-. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aef6686

MLA:

Rahin, Roi, et al. "Direct spectroscopic observation of matter falling onto a compact stellar object." Science Advances 12.38 (2026): eaef6686-.

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