A Long Look at the Be/X‐Ray Binaries of the Small Magellanic Cloud

Abstract

We have monitored 41 Be/X-ray binary systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud over ~9 yr using PCA RXTE data from a weekly survey program. The resulting light curves were analyzed in search of orbital modulations with the result that 10 known orbital ephemerides were confirmed and refined, while 10 new ones where determined. A large number of X-ray orbital profiles are presented for the first time, showing similar characteristics over a wide range of orbital periods. Lastly, three pulsars, SXP 46.4, SXP 89.0, and SXP 165, were found to be misidentifications of SXP 46.6, SXP 91.1, and SXP 169, respectively.