The discovery outburst of the X-ray transient IGR J17497-2821 observed with RXTE and ATCA

We report the results of a series of RXTE and ATCA observations of the recently-discovered X-ray transient IGR J17497-2821. Our 3-200 keV PCA+HEXTE spectral analysis shows very little variations over a period of ~10 days around the maximum of the outburst. IGR J17497-2821 is found in a typical Low Hard State (LHS) of X-ray binaries (XRB), well represented by an absorbed Comptonized spectrum with an iron edge at about 7 keV. The high value of the absorption (~4e22 cm-2) suggests that the source is located at a large distance, either close to the Galactic center or beyond. The timing analysis shows no particular features, while the shape of the power density spectra is also typical of LHS of XRBs, with ~36% RMS variability. No radio counterpart is found down to a limit of 0.21 mJy at 4.80 GHz and 8.64 GHz. We discuss the properties of IGR J17497-2821 and by comparing them with those of other sources, we suggest that it is a black hole candidate