X-Ray Binary Transients: Insights and Discoveries

A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Compact Objects".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 August 2026 | Viewed by 573

Editor


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente S/N, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Interests: stellar evolution; interacting binaries; open clusters; star formation; galactic structure

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The class of X-ray binary transients (XRBTs) encompasses a variety of typologies and physical mechanisms that probe a myriad of astrophysically relevant scenarios, such as extreme accretion physics, the structure and evolution of accretion disks, properties of compact objects, and binary evolution. Recent advances in multi-wavelength observations and time-domain surveys have expanded our understanding of these systems, revealing new classes of transients and uncovering richer phenomenology across luminosity and timescales. At the same time, theoretical developments and large-scale numerical simulations now offer a much sharper view into the triggers of outbursts, the role of magnetic fields, and the broader impact of XRBTs on galactic feedback. Moreover, different XRBT populations are being used to place constraints on population-synthesis models aimed at reproducing the progenitors of gravitational-wave events.

This Special Issue invites contributions on observational, theoretical, and computational studies of XRBTs, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Discovery and classification of new transient systems and new classes (e.g., ultra-luminous X-ray transients, quasi-periodic eruptions, repeating nuclear transients).
  • Physics of accretion and ejection during outbursts and quiescent phases.
  • Binary evolution pathways connecting XRBTs to compact-object mergers and gravitational-wave progenitors.
  • Multi-messenger synergies (X-ray, radio, optical, gravitational waves).

We encourage observational, theoretical, and computational submissions that utilize both traditional and innovative techniques to unravel the complexities of XRBTs. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Ignacio Negueruela
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Universe is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • X-ray binaries
  • transient astrophysics
  • accretion physics
  • compact objects
  • time-domain astronomy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

22 pages, 639 KB  
Review
Be/X-Ray Binaries: Phenomenology, Variability, and Accretion Dynamics
by Pablo Reig
Universe 2026, 12(7), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe12070201 - 6 Jul 2026
Viewed by 197
Abstract
Be/X-ray binaries constitute the largest and most diverse subgroup of neutron star high-mass X-ray binaries. These systems feature a rapidly rotating Be star surrounded by a circumstellar decretion disk that serves as the primary reservoir of accreted matter onto a strongly magnetized neutron [...] Read more.
Be/X-ray binaries constitute the largest and most diverse subgroup of neutron star high-mass X-ray binaries. These systems feature a rapidly rotating Be star surrounded by a circumstellar decretion disk that serves as the primary reservoir of accreted matter onto a strongly magnetized neutron star. While a few Be/X-ray binaries remain persistently active, the majority manifest as hard X-ray transient sources, becoming detectable only during X-ray outbursts. This review synthesizes current understanding of their rich phenomenology across optical and X-ray wavelengths, focusing on variability ocurring over timescales that span from seconds to years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue X-Ray Binary Transients: Insights and Discoveries)
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