Abstract
One of the most interesting discoveries of the INTEGRAL observatory (launched in 2003) is that of a set of transient X-ray sources with highly absorbed spectra in the Norma Arm of the Galaxy (e.g. Smith et al. 2004, AAS-HEAD8, 25.02; Walter 2004, AAS-HEAD8, 33.01). Multiwavelength studies of some of them have identified their optical/NIR counterparts and have shown that these systems are most probably high-mass X-ray binaries containing neutron stars or black holes, and with highly reddened early-type supergiant secondaries (e.g. Negueruela et al. 2005, ATel, 429; Pellizza et al. 2005, in preparation, Smith 2004, ATel, 338). IGR J162834838 is a recently discovered source which shares the X-ray characteristics of this group. In this work we present new ESO optical/NIR photometric and spectroscopic observations of the counterpart candidates of IGR J162834838, and discuss the nature of this source.
