XTE J1650−500

XTE J1650-500

Artist's impression of XTE J1650−500
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Ara
Right ascension 16h 50m 00.98s
Declination −49° 57 43.6
Characteristics
Spectral type K2V
Astrometry
Distance3300±700 pc
Details
Black hole
Mass9.7±1.6 M
Other designations
INTREF 720
Database references
SIMBADdata

XTE J1650−500 is a binary system containing a stellar-mass black hole candidate and 2000–2001 transient binary X-ray source located in the constellation Ara. In 2008, it was claimed that this black hole had a mass of 3.8±0.5 solar masses, which would have been the smallest found for any black hole; smaller than GRO 1655−40, the then known smallest of 6.3 M. However, this claim was subsequently retracted; the more likely mass is 5–10 solar masses.

The binary period of the black hole and its companion is 0.32 days.