arXiv · astro-ph/0309687
Optical Counterpart of The Ultraluminous X-ray Source NGC 1313 X-2
Abstract
We present new optical and {\it Chandra} observations of the field containing the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC1313 X-2. On an ESO 3.6 m image, the {\it Chandra} error box embraces a $R=21.6$ mag stellar-like object and excludes a previously proposed optical counterpart. The resulting X-ray/optical flux ratio of NGC 1313 X-2 is $\sim 500$. The value of $f_X/f_{opt}$, the X-ray variability history and spectral distribution indicate a luminous X-ray binary in NGC 1313 as a likely explanation for NGC 1313 X-2. The inferred optical luminosity ($L\approx 10^5 L_\odot$) is consistent with that of a $\approx 10 M_\odot$ companion.
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L. Zampieri, P. Mucciarelli, R. Falomo, P. Kaaret, R. Di Stefano, R. Turolla, M. Chieregato, A. Treves. 2003-09-25. Optical Counterpart of The Ultraluminous X-ray Source NGC 1313 X-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2004.04.068
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