article published yes G. Marcel author S. G. D. Turner author B. J. Ricketts author V. López-Barquero author D. J. K. Buisson author F. Vincentelli author M. Middleton author C.S. Reynolds author Mark Avara author 24edc561-7790-11f0-acf5-82cd0823fe7e ZoHa department Context. X-ray binaries exhibit complex variability patterns studied in the power spectrum. These include the broadband noise (BBN) components and various types of narrow components called quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). There is currently no consensus about what determines the presence or absence of the BBN or what generates the QPOs. Many believe that QPO generation is due to framedragging effects caused by Lense–Thirring torques. Aims. We investigated the potential impact of frame-dragging effects on the accretion disk itself. In particular, we focused on its impact on the observed variability and on the presence (and types) of associated QPOs. Methods. We made analytical estimates to assess the potential presence of a geometric warp in the inner accretion disk during state transitions. Results. We show that the presence of a warp can modify the spectral-timing properties in a way that matches the observed transition between QPO types during outbursts. We also discuss the peculiar case of Cyg X-1, as well as how the hard-to-soft transition could be driven by the warp itself. Conclusions. The (expected) emergence of a warp provides a consistent explanation for the evolution of both the BBN and the QPO properties during state transitions. This offers a first path toward unifying the variability of black hole X-ray binaries. https://research-explorer.ista.ac.at/download/22381/22382/2026_AstronomyAstrophysics_Marcel.pdf application/pdfno EDP Sciences2026 eng 0004-6361 1432-0746 2511.1047410.1051/0004-6361/202558103 710 Marcel G, Turner SGD, Ricketts BJ, et al. Disk warping and black hole X-ray binaries: I. Tentative unification of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations. <i>Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics</i>. 2026;710. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103">10.1051/0004-6361/202558103</a> Marcel G, Turner SGD, Ricketts BJ, López-Barquero V, Buisson DJK, Vincentelli F, Middleton M, Reynolds CS, Avara M. 2026. Disk warping and black hole X-ray binaries: I. Tentative unification of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations. Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics. 710, A387. Marcel, G., Turner, S. G. D., Ricketts, B. J., López-Barquero, V., Buisson, D. J. K., Vincentelli, F., … Avara, M. (2026). Disk warping and black hole X-ray binaries: I. Tentative unification of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations. <i>Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics</i>. EDP Sciences. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103">https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103</a> G. Marcel, S.G.D. Turner, B.J. Ricketts, V. López-Barquero, D.J.K. Buisson, F. Vincentelli, M. Middleton, C.S. Reynolds, M. Avara, Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics 710 (2026). Marcel, G., et al. “Disk Warping and Black Hole X-Ray Binaries: I. Tentative Unification of Low-Frequency Quasi-Periodic Oscillations.” <i>Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics</i>, vol. 710, A387, EDP Sciences, 2026, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103">10.1051/0004-6361/202558103</a>. Marcel, G., S. G. D. Turner, B. J. Ricketts, V. López-Barquero, D. J. K. Buisson, F. Vincentelli, M. Middleton, C.S. Reynolds, and Mark Avara. “Disk Warping and Black Hole X-Ray Binaries: I. Tentative Unification of Low-Frequency Quasi-Periodic Oscillations.” <i>Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics</i>. EDP Sciences, 2026. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103">https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558103</a>. G. Marcel <i>et al.</i>, “Disk warping and black hole X-ray binaries: I. Tentative unification of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations,” <i>Astronomy &#38; Astrophysics</i>, vol. 710. EDP Sciences, 2026. 223812026-07-21T10:29:36Z2026-07-21T12:22:52Z