A NICER Spectrum of MAXI J1535-571: Near-Maximal Black Hole Spin and Potential Disk Warping [STUB]

Abstract: We report on a Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) observation of the Galactic X-ray binary and stellar-mass black hole candidate, MAXI J1535-571. The source was likely observed in an “intermediate” or “very high” state, with important contributions from both an accretion disk and hard X-ray corona. The 2.3-10 keV spectrum shows clear hallmarks of relativistic disk reflection. Fits with a suitable model strongly indicate a nearmaximal spin parameter of a = cJ/GM(exp 2) = 0.994(…