What does IGR J17091 represent?

IGR J17091 refers to a specific astronomical object that has been identified as a stellar mass black hole. This designation is based on observations that suggest its characteristics align with those of black holes formed from the gravitational collapse of massive stars. IGR J17091 is particularly notable for being part of a binary system, where it is observed interacting with a companion star, leading to the accretion of material from that star onto the black hole.

This accretion process produces X-ray emissions, which are characteristic of stellar mass black holes. Moreover, extensive studies have shown that the mass of IGR J17091 falls within the range typically associated with stellar black holes, usually between about 3 to 20 times the mass of our Sun, further confirming its classification.

Understanding the nature of IGR J17091 and similar objects provides insights into the end stages of massive stars and the formation of black holes, which are key concepts in astrophysics and stellar evolution.