arXiv subjects

S. S. Murray

Publications and source records attributed to S. S. Murray.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Chandra Observations of "The Antennae" Galaxies (NGC 4038/39): II. Detection and Analysis of Galaxian X-ray source

We report the detailed analysis of the X-ray properties of the discrete sources detected in a long (72 ks) \chandra ACIS-S observation of the Antennae galaxies. We detect 49 sources, down to a detection limit of ~ 10^{38} erg\s; 18 sources have Lx >10^{39} erg\s (Ultra Luminous X-ray sources; ULXs). Six of the 49 sources have an extended component. Two sources show evidence for variability during this observation, and three sources exhibit long term variability in timescales of a few years. The spectra of the discrete sources are diverse, suggesting different emission mechanisms, broadly correlated with the source luminosity: the most luminous sources exhibit harder emission, while the spectra of fainter sources appear softer. Spectra and variability suggest that the ULXs may be binary accretion sources; Supernova remnants or hot ISM in the Chandra beam may be responsible for some of the softer sources.

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arXiv2002

The X-ray Source Population of "The Antennae" Galaxies: X-ray Properties from Chandra and Multiwavelength Associations

[abridged] We investigate the nature of the luminous X-ray source population detected in a (72 ks) Chandra ACIS-S observation of NGC 4038/39, the Antennae galaxies. We derive the average X-ray spectral properties of sources in different luminosity ranges, and we correlate the X-ray positions with radio, IR, and optical HST data. The X-ray sources are predominantly associated with young stellar clusters, indicating that they belong to the young stellar population. Based on both their co-added X-ray spectrum, and on the lack of associated radio emission, we conclude that the Ultra Luminous X-ray sources (ULXs), with Lx>10^{39} erg\s, are not young compact Supernova Remnants (SNR), but accretion binaries. While their spectrum is consistent with those of ULXs studied in nearby galaxies, and interpreted as the counterparts of intermediate mass black-holes (M >10-1000 \msun), comparison with the position of star-clusters suggests that some of the ULXs may be runaway binaries, thus suggesting lower-mass binary systems. The co-added spectrum of the sources in the 3x10^{38}-10^{39} erg\s luminosity range is consistent with those of Galactic black-hole candidates. These sources are also on average displaced from neighboring star clusters. The softer spectrum of the less luminous sources suggests the presence of SNRs or of hot interstellar medium (ISM) in the Chandra source extraction area. Comparison with HI and CO observations shows that most sources are detected in the outskirts of large concentrations of gas. The absorbing columns inferred from these observations would indeed absorb X-rays up to 5 keV, so there may be several hidden X-ray sources. Associated with these obscured regions we find 6 sources with heavily absorbed X-ray spectra and absorption-corrected luminosities in the ULX range.

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arXiv2002

Chandra HRC and HST observations of NGC6240: resolving the AGN and Starburst

We present high spatial resolution X-ray Chandra HRC and HST WFPC2 Halpha observations of the prototypical infrared luminous galaxy NGC6240. The central region of this system shows a remarkably complex morphology, with filaments and loops observed in the optical and X-rays. The total X-ray luminosity is dominated by the extended emission. Both nuclei are clearly detected in the HRC image and both appear to be extended. The energetics of the nuclei imply that the southern nucleus is the more plausible counterpart to the obscured AGN. The overall SED of the galaxy is in good agreement with a blend of starburst and AGN components which have similar bolometric luminosities, L_bol ~ 5e45 ergs/s, with the starburst dominating the observed continuum in the near-IR (K-band), optical and soft X-ray bands.

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arXiv2002

Two Years of the X-ray Sky in M31

We have been monitoring M31 with HRC and ACIS onboard \chandra regularly in the past two years. By combining eight \chandra ACIS-I observations taken between 1999 to 2001, we have identified 204 X-ray sources within the central $\sim 17\arcmin\times17\arcmin$ region of M31, with a detection limit of $\sim 1.6\times10^{35}$\lum. Of these 204 sources, 21 are identified with globular clusters, 2 with supernova remnants (one of them is spatially resolved with \chandra), and 8 with planetary nebula. By comparing individual images, about 50% of the sources are variable in time scales of months. We also found 14 transients. Combining all the available transients found in literatures, there are 25 transients in M31 and M32 detected by \chandra and \xmm; we present some of the long-term lightcurves by using the HRC, ACIS and \xmm data. The spectral shape of 12 sources is shown to be variable, suggesting that they went through state changes. The luminosity function of all the point sources is consistent with previous observations (a broken power-law with a luminosity break at $1.7\times10^{37}$\lum). However, when the X-ray sources in different regions are considered separately, different luminosity functions are obtained. This indicates that the star formation history might be different in different regions.

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arXiv2002

Bright X-Ray Sources in M31 Globular Clusters

We have conducted Chandra observations of ~2560 square arcmin (~131 kpc^2) of of M31, and find that the most luminous X-ray sources in our fields are in globular clusters (GCs). Of the 28 GC X-ray sources in our fields, 17 are newly discovered. Approximately 1/3 of all the sources have L_x([0.5-7] keV) > 10^{37} ergs/s; approximately 1/10 of all the sources have L_x([0.5-7] keV) close to or above 10^{38} erg/s. The most luminous source, in the globular cluster Bo 375, is consistently observed to have L_x greater than 2 x 10^{38} ergs/s. (1) We present data on the spectra and/or light curves of the 5 most luminous M31 GC sources. (2)We explore possible explanations for the high X-ray luminosities of the brightest sources. These include that the X-ray sources may be composites, the radiation we receive may be beamed, metallicity effects could be at work, or the sources may be accreting black holes. We weigh each of these possibilities against the data. In addition, we introduce a neutron star model in which mass transfer proceeds on the thermal time scale of the donor star. Our model can produce luminosities of several times 10^{38} ergs/s, and leads to a set of well-defined predictions. (3) We compute the X-ray luminosity function and the distribution of counts in wavebands that span the range of energies to which Chandra is sensitive. We find the peak X-ray luminosity is higher and that systems with L_x > 10^{37} ergs/s constitute a larger fraction of all GC sources than in the MW. (4) We study the possible reasons for this difference between M31 and Galactic GC X-ray sources and identify three promising explanations.

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arXiv2002

The X-ray Spectra of Black Hole X-ray Novae in Quiescence as Measured by Chandra

We present Chandra observations of black hole X-ray novae V404 Cyg, A0620-00, GRO J1655-40 and XTE J1550-564 in quiescence. Their quiescent spectra can be well fitted by a power-law model with slope $α\sim 2$. While a coronal (Raymond-Smith) model is also a statistically acceptable representation of the spectra, the best fit temperatures of these models is $\sim 5$ times higher than that seen in active stellar coronae. These four spectra of quiescent X-ray novae are all consistent with that expected for accretion via an advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) and inconsistent with that expected from a stellar corona. This evidence for continued accretion in quiescence further strengthens the case for the existence of event horizons in black holes. Both A0620-00 and GRO J1655-40 were fainter than in previous observations, while V404 Cyg was more luminous and varied by a factor of 2 in a few ksec. A reanalysis of the X-ray data for XTE J1550-564 shows that (like V404 Cyg and A0620-00) its luminosity exceeds the maximum prediction of the coronal model by a large factor. The 0.3-7 keV luminosity of the four sources studied ranges from $\sim 10^{30}-10^{33}$ erg/s.

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arXiv2001

Chandra Observations of the X-ray Jet in Centaurus A

We present high angular resolution X-ray images and spectra from two {\em Chandra} ACIS-I observations of the X-ray jet in the nearby radio galaxy Centaurus A. We find that the X-ray emission from the jet is composed of a low surface brightness diffuse component extending continuously from within at least 60 pc of the active nucleus into the NE radio lobe 4 kpc from the nucleus, along with 31 discrete compact knots, most of which are extended at the resolution of our observation. We find that there are small but significant differences between the X-ray and radio morphologies of the inner jet at the arcsecond level, making it unlikely that a single, spatially coincident population of ultrarelativistic electrons is responsible for the emission in both energy regimes. We suggest that the X-ray knots of the inner jet are indeed the sites of particle acceleration and shocks, and the X-ray and radio knot offsets are caused by a combination of particle diffusion and energy loss. These offsets may be a common feature of all jets in radio galaxies, or at least jets in FR I type galaxies, and may be fundamental to the physics of such jets. The X-ray spectra of several regions of the jet are well fit by absorbed power-law models with photon indices $\sim$2.2-2.5, although the spectrum of one bright knot located $\sim$1 kpc from the nucleus (knot B) is harder (photon index = 2.0).

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arXiv2001

Chandra observtaion of A2256 - a cluster at the early stage of merging

We present here \chandra observations of the rich cluster of galaxies A2256. In addition to the known cool subcluster, a new structure was resolved 2$'$ east of the peak of the main cluster. Its position is roughtly at the center of a low-brightness radio halo. Spectral analysis shows that the "shoulder" has high iron abundance ($\sim$ 1). We suggest that this structure is either another merging component or an internal structure of the main cluster. The X-ray redshifts of several regions were measured. The results agree with the optical ones and suggest that the main cluster, the subcluster and the "shoulder" are physically associated and interacting. The subcluster has low temperature ($\sim$ 4.5 keV) and high iron abundance ($\sim$ 0.6) in the central 150 kpc. The \chandra image shows a relatively sharp brightness gradient at the south of the subcluster peak running south-south-east (SSE). A temperature jump was found across the edge, with higher temperature ahead of the edge in the low density region. This phenomenon is qualitatively similar to the "cold fronts" found in A2142 and A3667. If the "shoulder" is ignored, the temperature map resembles those simulations at the early stage of merging while the subcluster approached the main cluster from somewhere west. This fact and the observed edge, in combination with the clear iron abundance contrast between the center of the subcluster ($\sim$ 0.6) and the main cluster ($\sim$ 0.2), all imply that the ongoing merger is still at the early stage. At least three member galaxies, including a radio head-tail galaxy, were found to have corresponding X-ray emission.

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arXiv2001

Exploring the Early Universe with XMM-Newton

The question of the X-ray background has been largely settled over the last 10 years using the ROSAT satellite. About 70-80 % of the soft X-ray background was resolved into discrete sources, which are mainly X-ray and optically unobscured AGNs (Quasars, Sy1). Furthermore we found already several obscured AGNs in deep ROSAT surveys, which are predicted by the population synthesis models for the X-ray background, based on the unified AGN schemes. However, deep X-ray surveys using Chandra} and XMM-Newton allow to test the reliability of these models, which seem to be still far from unique. Recent observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton have resolved most of the hard X-ray background into discrete sources. The first deep XMM-Newton survey was performed in the Lockman Hole region, one of the sky areas best studied over a wide wavelength range. About 100 ksec good exposure time have been accumulated with the EPIC camera during the performance verification phase. We reach a limiting flux of 0.31, 1.4 and 2.4 x 10E-15 erg/cm2/s in the 0.5-2, 2-10 and 5-10 keV energy bands. A significant number of X-ray sources show hard, probably intrinsically absorbed X-ray spectra. We discuss the X-ray, optical and infrared properties of these sources in comparison with the predictions of the recent X-ray background models.

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arXiv2001

Chandra Exposes the Core Collapsed Globular Cluster NGC 6397

We report results of the Chandra deep imaging observation of the closest post-core collapse globular cluster, NGC 6397. Some 25 sources are detected within 2 arcmin of the cluster center of which about 20 are likely cluster members with L_x ~ 3x10^29 erg/s. The x-ray spectra suggest identifications with 1 quiescent low mass x-ray binary (qLMXB) detected by the thermal emission from its neutron star (NS) and 9 cataclysmic variables (CVs), 8 of which are identified in our deep HST imaging survey (reported separately). Three (of 16) BY Draconis main sequence binary candidates identified in our earlier HST imaging study (Taylor et al) are detected of which one is indeed the counterpart of the eclipsing millisecond pulsar (MSP) recently located by D'Amico et al. Two other BY Dra candidates are also detected, whereas none of the probable He white dwarf (WD) binaries identified by Taylor et al are indicating they do not contain MSP primaries. The x-ray color magnitude diagram suggests that the remaining 5 probable cluster sources are a mixture of faint CVs, BY Dra binaries and MSPs. Compact binaries containing WDs appear to dominate this cluster, in contrast to those containing NSs in 47Tuc.

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arXiv2001

Search for an Near-IR Counterpart to the Cas A X-ray Point Source

We report deep near-infrared and optical observations of the X-ray point source in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, CXO J232327.9+584842. We have identified a J=21.4 +/- 0.3 mag and Ks=20.5 +/- 0.3 mag source within the 1-sigma error circle, but we believe this source is a foreground Pop II star with Teff=2600-2800 K at a distance of ~2 kpc, which could not be the X-ray point source. We do not detect any sources in this direction at the distance of Cas A, and therefore place 3-sigma limits of R >~ 25 mag, F675W >~ 27.3 mag, J >~ 22.5 mag and Ks >~ 21.2 mag (and roughly H >~ 20 mag) on emission from the X-ray point source, corresponding to M_{R} >~ 8.2 mag, M_{F675W} >~ 10.7 mag, M_{J} >~ 8.5 mag, M_{H} >~ 6.5 mag, and M_{Ks} >~ 8.0 mag, assuming a distance of 3.4 kpc and an extinction A_{V}=5 mag.

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arXiv2001

Chandra Observations of "The Antennae" Galaxies (NGC 4038/39)

We report the results of a deep Chandra ACIS pointing at the merging system NGC 4038/39. We detect an extraordinarily luminous population of X-ray sources, with luminosity well above that of XRBs in M31 and the Milky Way. If these sources are unbeamed XRBs, our observations may point to them being 10-100Mo black hole counterparts. We detect an X-ray bright hot ISM, with features including bright superbubbles associated with the actively star-forming knots, regions where hot and warm (H$α$) ISM intermingle, and a large-scale outflow.

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arXiv2000

Chandra Observations of M31

As part of the Chandra GTO program we are monitoring and surveying M31 using the HRC and ACIS cameras. These observations have resolved the nuclear X-ray source into five separate sources, one of which is very soft and may (or may not!) be associated with the central super-massive black hole. In addition, the superb spatial resolution and low scattering of the Chandra telescope allows us to unambiguously resolve the diffuse emission from the point sources. This emission is clearly softer than the point sources, and also increases with temperature radially. The monitoring nature of the observations allows detailed study of the variability of the point sources.

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arXiv2000

Structure of the X-ray Emission from the Jet of 3C 273

We present images from five observations of the quasar 3C 273 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The jet has at least four distinct features which are not resolved in previous observations. The first knot in the jet (A1) is very bright in X-rays. Its X-ray spectrum is well fitted with a power law with alpha = 0.60 +/- 0.05. Combining this measurement with lower frequency data shows that a pure synchrotron model can fit the spectrum of this knot from 1.647 GHz to 5 keV (over nine decades in energy) with alpha = 0.76 +/- 0.02, similar to the X-ray spectral slope. Thus, we place a lower limit on the total power radiated by this knot of 1.5e43 erg/s; substantially more power may be emitted in the hard X-ray and gamma-ray bands. Knot A2 is also detected and is somewhat blended with knot B1. Synchrotron emission may also explain the X-ray emission but a spectral bend is required near the optical band. For knots A1 and B1, the X-ray flux dominates the emitted energy. For the remaining optical knots (C through H), localized X-ray enhancements that might correspond to the optical features are not clearly resolved. The position angle of the jet ridge line follows the optical shape with distinct, aperiodic excursions of +/-1 deg from a median value of -138.0deg. Finally, we find X-ray emission from the ``inner jet'' between 5 and 10" from the core.

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arXiv2000

Chandra High-Resolution Camera Observations of the Luminous X-Ray Source in the Starburst Galaxy M82

We have analyzed Chandra High Resolution Camera observations of the starburst galaxy M82, concentrating on the most luminous x-ray source. We find a position for the source of $\rm R.A. = 09^h 55^m 50^s.2, decl. = +69^{\circ} 40\arcmin 46\arcsec.7$ (J2000) with a $1σ$ radial error of $0.7\arcsec$. The accurate x-ray position shows that the luminous source is not at the dynamical centre of M82 nor coincident with any suggested radio AGN candidate. The source is highly variable between observations, which suggests that the source is a compact object and not a supernova or remnant. There is no significant short term variability within the observations. Dynamical friction and the off-center position place an upper bound of $10^{5} - 10^{6} M_{\odot}$ on the mass of the object, depending on its age. The x-ray luminosity suggests a compact object mass of at least $500 M_{\odot}$. Thus, the luminous source in M82 may represent a new class of compact object with a mass intermediate between those of stellar mass black hole candidates and supermassive black holes.

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arXiv2000

A moving cold front in the intergalactic medium of A3667

We present results from a Chandra observation of the central region of the galaxy cluster A3667, with emphasis on the prominent sharp X-ray brightness edge spanning 0.5 Mpc near the cluster core. Our temperature map shows large-scale nonuniformities characteristic of the ongoing merger, in agreement with earlier ASCA results. The brightness edge turns out to be a boundary of a large cool gas cloud moving through the hot ambient gas, very similar to the "cold fronts" discovered by Chandra in A2142. The higher quality of the A3667 data allows the direct determination of the cloud velocity. At the leading edge of the cloud, the gas density abruptly increases by a factor of 3.9+-0.8, while the temperature decreases by a factor of 1.9+-0.2 (from 7.7 keV to 4.1 keV). The ratio of the gas pressures inside and outside the front shows that the cloud moves through the ambient gas at near-sonic velocity, M=1+-0.2 or v=1400+-300 km/s. In front of the cloud, we observe the compression of the ambient gas with an amplitude expected for such a velocity. A smaller surface brightness discontinuity is observed further ahead, ~350 kpc in front of the cloud. We suggest that it corresponds to a weak bow shock, implying that the cloud velocity may be slightly supersonic. Given all the evidence, the cold front appears to delineate the remnant of a cool subcluster that recently has merged with A3667. The cold front is remarkably sharp. The upper limit on its width, 3.5 arcsec or 5 kpc, is several times smaller than the Coulomb mean free path. This is a direct observation of suppression of the transport processes in the intergalactic medium, most likely by magnetic fields.

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arXiv2000

Chandra estimate of the magnetic field strength near the cold front in A3667

We use the Chandra observation of the cold front in the intracluster gas of A3667 to estimate the magnetic field strength near the front. The front is seen in the Chandra data as a sharp discontinuity in the gas density which delineates a large body of dense cool gas moving with the near-sonic velocity through the less dense, hotter gas. Without a magnetic field, the front should be quickly disturbed by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability arising from tangential motion of gas layers. However, Chandra image shows that the front is stable within a +-30deg sector in the direction of the cloud motion, beyond which it gradually disappears. We suggest that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability within the +-30deg sector is suppressed by surface tension of the magnetic field whose field lines are parallel to the front. The required field strength is B ~ 10 muG. Magnetic field near the front is expected to be stronger and have very different structure compared to the bulk of the intergalactic medium, because the field lines are stretched by the tangential gas motions. Such a magnetic configuration, once formed, would effectively stop the plasma diffusion and heat conduction across the front, and may inhibit gas mixing during the subcluster merger. We note that even the increased magnetic field near the front contributes only 10-20% to the total gas pressure, and therefore magnetic pressure is unimportant for hydrostatic cluster mass estimates.

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arXiv2000

Chandra Observations of the Young Pulsar PSR B0540-69

The young pulsar PSR B0540-69 was one of the first targets observed with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The high angular resolution of Chandra allows us to resolve the compact nebula surrounding the pulsar. We have determined a position for PSR B0540-69 of R.A. = 05h 40m 11s.221, decl. = -69o 19' 54".98 (J2000) with a 1-sigma radial uncertainty of 0.7". Combining our measurements of the pulsar period with previous measurements covering a span of 12 years, we derive a braking index of 2.08. The spectrum of the pulsed emission is consistent with a power-law with a photon index of 1.83 +/- 0.13. The compact nebula has a softer spectrum with a photon index of 1.85 to 2.26.

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