Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-06-29
Astrophys.J.596:944-956,2003
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
33 pages, accepted to ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/378087
The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program is designed to extend greatly the sample of identified extragalactic hard X-ray 2-10 keV sources at intermediate fluxes ($\sim 10^{-13} - 10^{-15} erg/cm2/s$). SEXSI, which studies sources selected from more than 2 deg$^2$, provides an essential complement to the {\em Chandra} Deep Fields, which reach depths of $5 \times 10^{-16} erg/cm2/s$ (\hardrange) but over a total area of $< 0.2$ deg$^2$. In this paper we describe the characteristics of the survey and our X-ray data analysis methodology. We present the cumulative flux distribution for the X-ray sample of 1034 hard sources, and discuss the distribution of spectral hardness ratios. Our lognlogs in this intermediate flux range connects to those found in the deep fields, and by combining the data sets, we constrain the hard X-ray population over the flux range where the differential number counts change slope, and from which the bulk of the 2 -- 10 keV X-ray background arises. We further investigate the lognlogs distribution separately for soft and hard sources in our sample, finding that while a clear change in slope is seen for the softer sample, the hardest sources are well-described by a single power-law down to the faintest fluxes, consistent with the notion that they lie at lower average redshift.
Eckart Megan E.
Harrison Fiona A.
Helfand David J.
Mao Peter H.
Stern Daniel
No associations
LandOfFree
The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-Ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program: I. Characteristics of the Hard X-Ray Sample does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-Ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program: I. Characteristics of the Hard X-Ray Sample, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-Ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program: I. Characteristics of the Hard X-Ray Sample will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-32323