The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources

Details The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources

2001-08-03

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0108057v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

6 pages A&A style. submitted to A&A (orginal submission 1 June 2001)

Scientific paper

10.1051/0004-6361:20011228

We present the results of a study of the variability of X-ray sources in the central 30' of the nearby Andromeda Galaxy (M31) based on XMM Performance Verification observations. Two observations of this field, with a total exposure time of about 50 ks, were performed in June and December of 2000. We found 116 sources brighter than a limiting luminosity of 6 x 10(35) erg/s (0.3--12 keV, d=760 kpc). For the ~60 brightest sources, we searched for periodic and non-periodic variability; at least 15% of these sources appear to be variable on a time scale of several months. We discovered a new bright transient source ~2.9' from the nucleus in the June observation; this source faded significantly and was no longer detected in December. The behaviour of the object is similar to a handful of Galactic LMXB transients, most of which are supposed to harbor black holes. We detected pulsations with a period of \~865 s from a source with a supersoft spectrum. The flux of this source decreased significantly between the two XMM observations. The detected period is unusually short and points to a rapidly spinning magnetized white dwarf. The high luminosity and transient nature of the source suggest its possible identification with classical or symbiotic nova, some of which were observed earlier as supersoft sources.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources 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 The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The central region of M31 observed with XMM-Newton. II. Variability of the individual sources will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-243613