Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A

Details Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A

Dec 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000aas...19711111k&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, 197th AAS Meeting, #111.11; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, p.1593

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We present the results from a study of the X-ray point source population in two Chandra observations of the nearby radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Using a wavelet decomposition detection algorithm, we detect 246 individual point sources above a limiting flux of 1.34*E-15}erg/cm{2s, which corresponds to a luminosity of 1.96*E36 erg/s. Of the 246 sources detected, 82 are detected in both data sets where the fields of view overlap. We positively identify 8 foreground stars in our observations, and estimate approximately 15% to 20% of the sources to be background AGN not associated with Centaurus A. The remaining ~200 sources, likely associated with the galaxy, are probably X-ray binaries and supernova remnants. We identify 11 with known globular clusters, and 41 as possible transient or variable sources. We find that the population of X-ray point sources in Centaurus A, a merged elliptical and spiral galaxy with an active nucleus, is not significantly different than that of M31 in both spatial distribution and luminosity range. We also detect in one observation a possible super-Eddington X-ray transient previously detected by ROSAT. This project was supported by NASA contract NAS8-38248, and the observations were made as part of the HRC GTO program. The research was conducted, in part, through the Harvard-Smithsonian CfA Undergraduate Summer Intern Program as part of the NSF REU program.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A 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 Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Chandra Observations of the X-Ray Point Source Population in Centaurus A will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1728114