Multiwavelength survey of X-ray sources in the sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy

R. M. Arnason, P. Barmby, A. Bahramian, T. J. Maccarone, S. E. Zepf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present an unprecedented, deep study of the primordial low-mass X-ray binary population in an isolated, lower metallicity environment. We perform follow-up observations of previously identified X-ray binary candidates in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy by combining a second Chandra observation with Spitzer and Gemini photometry, as well as Gemini spectroscopy of selected targets. Of the original nine bright X-ray sources identified, we are able to classify all but one as quasars, active galactic nuclei, or background galaxies. We further discover four new X-ray sources in the second-epoch Chandra observation. Three of these new sources are background sources and one is a foreground flaring star. We have found that Sculptor is effectively devoid of X-ray sources above a few 1034 erg s−1. If Sculptor is able to retain primordial binaries at a similar rate to globular clusters, this implies that bright X-ray binaries observed in globular clusters in the present epoch are all formed dynamically.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2259-2275
Number of pages17
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume485
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2019

Keywords

  • Galaxies:individual:Sculptor dwarf spheroidal
  • X-rays:binaries
  • X-rays:galaxies

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