Luminous supersoft X-ray sources in external galaxies

被引：82

作者：

Di Stefano, R

Kong, AKH

机构：

[1] Harvard Smithsonian Ctr Astrophys, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA

[2] Tufts Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Medford, MA 02155 USA

来源：

ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL | 2003年 / 592卷 / 02期

关键词：

galaxies; individual; (M51; M83; M101; NGC; 4697); methods : data analysis; supernova remnants; white dwarfs; X-rays : binaries; X-rays : galaxies;

D O I：

10.1086/375858

中图分类号：

P1 [天文学];

学科分类号：

0704 ;

摘要：

We use a set of conservative criteria to identify luminous supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in external galaxies. We test this approach on blackbody models and then apply it to Chandra data from four galaxies: an elliptical galaxy (NGC 4967), two face-on spiral galaxies (M101 and M83), and an interacting galaxy (M51). We find SSSs in every galaxy and estimate that the total SSS population of sources with L > 10(37) ergs s(-1) in each galaxy is at least several hundred and could be significantly larger. In addition, we discover two intriguing features of galactic populations of SSSs. First, there are significant subpopulations of high-luminosity sources; the bolometric luminosities can exceed 10(39) ergs s(-1). Second, in the spiral galaxies M101, M83, and M51, SSSs appear to be associated with the spiral arms. This may indicate that some SSSs are young systems, possibly younger than 10(8) yr.

引用

页码：884 / 899

页数：16

共 29 条

[1] A new way to detect massive black holes in galaxies: The stellar remnants of tidal disruption [J].