Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-10-21
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
15 pages, accepted for publication in A&A revised version includes a comparison of the LF of LMXBs in globular clusters in M31
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20066614
The purpose of this study is to explore the population of X-ray point sources in the bulge of M31, with the primary goal to contrast properties of various subpopulations, such as persistent and transient sources, primordial LMXBs and dynamically formed ones. Based on the data from 26 archival Chandra observations we study the source content and properties of various subpopulations of X-ray sources to a maximum distance of 12 arcmin from the centre of M31. A study of the spatial distribution and the luminosity function of the X-ray sources shows that the distribution of primordial LMXBs is consistent with the distribution of the K-band light and that their luminosity function flattens below ~10^{37} erg/s to the dN/dL proportional to 1/L law in agreement with the behaviour found earlier for LMXBs in the Milky Way and in Cen A. The luminosity function of dynamically formed LMXBs shows a prominent fall-off below log(L_X)<36.5. Although the statistics is insufficient to claim a genuine low-luminosity cut-off in the luminosity function, the best fit powerlaw with a slope of -0.6+-0.2 is significantly flatter than the dN/dL proportional to 1/L law. We found 28 transient X-ray sources. Their spatial distribution follows the distribution of the persistent LMXBs within the accuracy allowed by the limited number of transients.
Gilfanov Marat
Voss Rasmus
No associations
LandOfFree
A study of the population of LMXBs in the bulge of M31 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 A study of the population of LMXBs in the bulge of M31, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A study of the population of LMXBs in the bulge of M31 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-552786