What type of astronomical object is IGR J17091 known to be?

IGR J17091 is identified as a stellar mass black hole, which is a type of black hole formed from the remnants of a massive star after it has undergone supernova explosion and collapsed under its own gravity. This type of black hole typically has a mass ranging from about three to a few tens of solar masses.

The classification of IGR J17091 as a stellar mass black hole is supported by observational evidence, particularly through X-ray emissions detected from the object. Accretion of material from a companion star produces strong X-ray emissions, characteristic of such systems. These observations show that IGR J17091 is part of a binary system, where the black hole is actively pulling material from a companion star, which is a common situation for stellar mass black holes.

Understanding the characteristics of stellar mass black holes, including their formation and the conditions that lead to their detection, is crucial in astronomy as they play significant roles in stellar evolution, galactic dynamics, and the study of extreme physics near black holes.