X-Ray Binaries: Accretion and Compact Objects
A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Compact Objects".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editors
Interests: X-ray astronomy; compact objects; stellar and supermassive black hole accretion and evolution
Interests: black holes; accretion disks; black hole spin measurements; general relativity in the strong field regime
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: experimental developments for X-ray astrophysics; experimental developments for TeV astrophysics; space-based studies of UHE particles; accreting pulsars and isolated neutron stars; low mass X-ray binaries; black holes; TeV sources; UV observation of the Earth; indirect dark matter search.
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The discovery and study of X-ray binaries has been an important branch of X-ray astronomy since its discovery. These exotic systems, consisting of a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole feeding from a companion star, are generators of high-energy radiation. Currently, new findings regarding X-ray binaries in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies continue to be obtained from the still-operating flagship X-ray observatories, Chandra and XMM-Newton, as well as the newer generation of X-ray telescopes implementing state-of-the-art technologies, such as Swift, NuSTAR, AstroSAT, Insight-HXMT, NICER, IXPE, the Einstein Probe, and XRISM. Meanwhile, as the synergies between space and ground astronomical observation facilities become a more common practice, we have widened the discovery space in the regime of X-ray binaries via a multi-wavelength and multi-messenger approach. Thanks to advances in observational astronomy, we currently have the capability to measure key physical parameters in these systems—in terms of central compact objects, as well as their accretion process—with unprecedented precision, testing theoretical astrophysics models, bringing new challenges to existing theories. Looking forward, a bright future awaits the study of X-ray binaries with the next generation of large X-ray space telescopes. The much anticipated eXTP and NewAthena missions are preparing to be launched in the 2030s, and promise to shed light on this topic.
This Special Issue aims to consolidate recent progress and future prospects in the research area of X-ray binaries from both observational and theoretical studies. Original research articles and reviews are both welcome. Research areas may include, but are not strictly limited to, the following: 1. Recent discoveries from X-ray observational studies of X-ray binaries in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. 2. Investigations of X-ray binaries from a multi-wavelength and multi-messenger prospective. 3. Scientific prospects regarding research on X-ray binaries using the next generation of telescopes. 4. Relevant theoretical advances in the above areas in terms of astrophysics and fundamental physics.
We are pleased to invite you to share your scientific insights on these topics, using your expertise to help make this a Special Issue a success. We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Yanjun Xu
Prof. Dr. Cosimo Bambi
Prof. Dr. Andrea Santangelo
Dr. Fiamma Capitanio
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- X-rays
- compact objects
- accretion
- black holes
- neuron stars
- white dwarfs
- multi-messenger astronomy
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