An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652

Details An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652 An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652

2012-04-02

arxiv.org/abs/1204.0552v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

12 pages, 10 figures (1 color). ApJ, in press

Scientific paper

We observed the globular cluster NGC 6652 with Chandra for 47.5 ks, detecting six known X-ray sources, as well as five previously undetected X-ray sources. Source A (XB 1832-330) is a well-known bright low-mass X-ray binary (LXMB). The second brightest source, B, has a spectrum that fits well to either a power-law model (Gamma ~ 1.3) or an absorbed hot gas emission model (kT ~ 34 keV). Its unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV luminosity (L_X = 1.6+-0.1*10^34 erg/s) is suggestive of a neutron star primary; however, Source B exhibits unusual variability for a LMXB, varying by over an order of magnitude on timescales of ~ 100 s. Source C's spectrum contains a strong low-energy component below 1 keV. Its spectrum is well fit to a simplified magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) model, thus the soft component may be explained by a hot polar cap of a magnetic CV. Source D has an average L_X (0.5-10 keV) ~ 9*10^32 erg/s, and its spectrum is well fit to a neutron star atmosphere model. This is indicative of a quiescent neutron star LXMB, suggesting Source D may be the third known LMXB in NGC 6652. Source E has L_X (0.5-10 keV) ~ 3*10^32 erg/s, while Source F has L_X (0.5-10 keV) ~ 1*10^32 erg/s. Their relatively hard X-ray spectra are well-fit by power-law or plasma emission models. Five newly detected fainter sources have luminosities between 1-5*10^31 erg/s. NGC 6652 has an unusually flat X-ray luminosity function compared to other globular clusters, which may be connected to its extremely high central density.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652 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 An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An Examination of the X-ray Sources in the Globular Cluster NGC 6652 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-354037