Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82

Details Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82 Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82

2010-01-20

arxiv.org/abs/1001.3456v1

Astrophys. J. 710: L137-L141, 2010

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

5 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

10.1088/2041-8205/710/2/L137

We report the discovery of X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at frequencies of 3-4 mHz from a transient ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) X42.3+59 in M82. The QPOs are strong and broad and appear with weak or absent red noise, and are detected only in Chandra observations when the source is brighter than 10^40 ergs/s. The QPO behavior is similar to the type A-I QPOs found in XTE J1550-564, which is a subclass of low frequency QPOs with properties in between type A and B. Therefore, we identify the QPOs in X42.3+59 as of type A or B, and rule out the possibility of type C. With this identification, the mass of the black hole in X42.3+59 can be inferred as in the range of 12,000-43,000 solar masses by scaling the QPO frequency to that of the type A/B QPOs in stellar mass black holes. Cool disk emission is detected in one Chandra observation, and the disk inner radius suggests a similar black hole mass range. Black holes of such a high mass are able to produce an energy output in a manner similar to X42.3+59 by accreting from the interstellar medium directly.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82 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 Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Discovery of mHz X-ray Oscillations in a Transient Ultraluminous X-ray Source in M82 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-128159