Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jun 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995apj...445l.125w&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 445, no. 2, p. L125-L128
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
16
Emission Spectra, Novae, Stellar Activity, Stellar Temperature, White Dwarf Stars, X Ray Astronomy, X Ray Spectra, X Ray Stars, Density (Number/Volume), Hydrogen, Rosat Mission, Stellar Luminosity
Scientific paper
Using data extracted from the ROSAT archive we have discovered a recurrent supersoft X-ray transient RX J0045.4+4154 in M31. The first outburst began on 1992 February 2 and continued for at least 4 days, until the end of the observation sequence. A second outburst that lasted more than 6 days was seen to begin on 1993 January 7. The X-ray spectrum on both occasions yields a characteristic blackbody temperature of approximately 90 eV. For a range of plausible continuum models, the hydrogen column density is (0.8-1.5) x 1021/sq cm and is consistent with the source being located in M31. This implies an unabsorbed 0.1-2.0 keV peak luminosity of approximately 1038 ergs/sec. This is the first recurrent X-ray transient to be found in M31 and is particularly notable because it is much softer than the bright X-ray transients seen in our Galaxy. The spectrum is characteristic of the supersoft class of X-ray sources, which are thought to be accreting white dwarfs that have a hydrogen-burning surface layer. A fit to a white dwarf model atmosphere gives a temperature of 106K, the hottest found so far. This high temperature is consistent with a white dwarf mass of 1.3-1.4 solar mass, approaching the Chandrasekhar limit, and burning close to the nuclear stability limit.
Angelini Leonardo
Fantasia S.
Giommi Paolo
Heise Jaret
White Nicholas E.
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