Tracing a Z-track in the M 31 X-ray binary RX J0042.6+4115

Barnard, R.; Kolb, U. and Osborne, J. P. (2003). Tracing a Z-track in the M 31 X-ray binary RX J0042.6+4115. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 411(3) pp. 553–557.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20031513

Abstract

Four XMM-Newton observations of the core of M 31, spaced at 6 month intervals, show that the brightest point X-ray source, RX J0042.6+4115, has a 0.4-10 keV luminosity of ~ 5x10³⁸ erg s^-1, and exhibits significant variability in intensity and X-ray spectrum over a time scale of ~100 s including hard flares; such behaviour is only observed in Z-sources and transient black hole binaries in our Galaxy. The lightcurves, X-ray spectra and hardness-intensity data from the four XMM-Newton observations all strongly suggest that it is a Z-source, bringing the total number of known Z-sources to nine.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 4881
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1432-0746
• Project Funding Details

• Funded Project Name	Project ID	Funding Body
  Not Set	Not Set	Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council

• Keywords
• X-rays; galaxies; M 31; binaries
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences
  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2003 ESO
• Depositing User
• Users 6041 not found.