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Replying to: Probing supernovae and kicks in post-supernova binaries

Nature volume 625, pages E24–E25 (2024)Cite this article

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The Original Article was published on 24 January 2024

replying to: C. Larsen et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06847-2 (2024).

The results presented by Larsen et al.1 in response to our publication ‘A high-mass X-ray binary descended from an ultra-stripped supernova’ by Richardson et al.2 are an important contribution to our understanding of this system. They present a kinematic argument providing an alternative solution to the formation of this object. Their results suggest that it is the result of a more typical binary system with a kick in a restricted range of directions. However, they do not investigate whether binary evolution can form the system they require. Indeed, there are likely to be many dynamical solutions to the observed binary system. However, there are two uncertainties to worry about, namely, the pre-supernova binary evolution and the kick distribution. Different assumptions in these lead to favouring one dynamical solution over another. In Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) models, this leads us to the presented solution. However, variation of binary evolution and/or the kick distribution could favour another dynamical solution.

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Data availability

BPASS results and stellar models are available from bpass.auckland.ac.nz.

Code availability

BPASS results and stellar models are available from bpass.auckland.ac.nz.

References

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST) Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ, USA

    Noel D. Richardson

  2. Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Jan J. Eldridge

Authors
  1. Noel D. Richardson
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  2. Jan J. Eldridge
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Contributions

The project was organized and written by N.D.R. J.J.E. re-examined the binary evolution and considered the models presented including questions from N.D.R. Both authors discussed and commented on the paper. As only N.D.R. and J.J.E. were involved in this response, some authors of the original paper were not included in this Matters Arising.

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Correspondence to Noel D. Richardson.

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Richardson, N.D., Eldridge, J.J. Replying to: Probing supernovae and kicks in post-supernova binaries. Nature 625, E24–E25 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06848-1

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