Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-11-17
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 357 (2005) 275-278
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
accepted for publication in MNRAS, 4 pages, no figures
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08634.x
Various arguments strongly suggest that the population of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs: apparent X-ray luminosity > Eddington limit for 10 Msun ~10^39 erg/s) in nearby galaxies are mostly stellar-mass X-ray binaries in unusual evolutionary stages. However there are indications that the very brightest systems may be difficult to explain this way. Accordingly we consider the class of hyperluminous X-ray sources (HLXs) (i.e. those with apparent bolometric luminosities >~10^41 erg/s). Because this class is small (currently only the M82 object is a secure member) we do not need to invoke a new formation mechanism for its black holes. We explore instead the idea that HLXs may be the nuclei of satellite galaxies captured during hierarchical merging. The observed correlation between AGN and tidal interactions implies that HLX activity would switch on during passage through the host galaxy, close to pericentre. This suggests that HLXs should appear near the host galaxy, be associated with star formation, and thus possibly with ULXs.
Dehnen Walter
King Andrew R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Hierarchical Merging, Ultraluminous and Hyperluminous X-ray Sources 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 Hierarchical Merging, Ultraluminous and Hyperluminous X-ray Sources, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hierarchical Merging, Ultraluminous and Hyperluminous X-ray Sources will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-654207