2003A&A...405..285R

We report on the results of the spectral and timing analysis of a BeppoSAX observation of the microquasar system LS 5039/RX J1826.2-1450. The source was found in a low-flux state with F_X(1-10keV)=4.7x10^–12erg/cm²/s, which represents almost one order of magnitude lower than a previous RXTE observation 2.5 years before. The 0.1-10keV spectrum is described by an absorbed power-law continuum with photon-number spectral index Γ=1.8±0.2 and hydrogen column density of N_H=1.0^+0.4_–0.3x10²²cm^–2. According to the orbital parameters of the system, the BeppoSAX observation covers the time of an X-ray eclipse should one occur. However, the 1.6-10keV light curve does not show evidence of such an event, which allows us to give an upper limit to the inclination of the system. The low X-ray flux detected during this observation is interpreted as a decrease in the mass accretion rate onto the compact object due to a decrease in the mass-loss rate from the primary.