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We report the discovery of LXP169, a new high-mass X-ray binary (XRB) in theLMC. The optical counterpart has been identified and appears to exhibit aneclipsing light curve. We performed follow-up observations to clarify theeclipsing nature of the system. Energy spectra and time series were extractedfrom two XMM-Newton observations to search for pulsations, characterise thespectrum, and measure spectral and timing changes. Long-term X-ray variabilitywas studied using archival ROSAT data. The XMM positions were used to identifythe optical counterpart. We obtained UV to NIR photometry to characterise thecompanion, along with its 4000 d long I-band light curve. We observed LXP169with Swift at two predicted eclipse times. We found a spin period of 168.8 sthat did not change between two XMM observations. The X-ray spectrum, wellcharacterised by a power law, was harder when the source was brighter. TheX-ray flux of LXP169 is found to be variable by a factor of at least 10. Thecounterpart is highly variable on short and long timescales, and its photometryis that of an early-type star with a NIR excess. This classifies the source asa BeXRB pulsar. We observed a transit in the UV, thereby confirming that thecompanion star itself is eclipsed. We give an ephemeris for the transit of MJD56203.877 + N*24.329. We propose and discuss the scenario where the mattercaptured from the companion's equatorial disc creates an extended region ofhigh density around the neutron star (NS), which partially eclipses thecompanion as the NS transits in front of it. This is most likely the first timethe compact object in an XRB is observed to eclipse its companion star. LXP169would be the first eclipsing BeXRB, and a wealth of important information mightbe gained from additional observations, such as a measure of the possible Bedisc/orbital plane misalignment, or the mass of the NS.

Discovery of a 168.8 s X-ray pulsar transiting in front of its Be companion star in the Large Magellanic Cloud