Monitoring Black Hole X-Ray Transients in M31 with Chandra and HST

Galache, Jose; Garcia, M. R.; Steeghs, D.; Torres, M. A. P.; Williams, B. F.; Murray, S. S.
Bibliographical reference

American Astronomical Society, HEAD meeting #10, #1.04

Advertised on:
3
2008
Number of authors
6
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Our neighbouring galaxy M31 (Andromeda), located 780 kpc away, offers a unique opportunity to study the X-ray population of a galaxy similar to the Milky Way. We have concentrated our monitoring campaign on following the X-ray activity of the stellar-mass black hole candidates, XRNe (X-Ray Novae), in the central region of M31. Observations are made approximately once a month with Chandra, following up any bright outbursts with HST in order to identify the optical counterparts. Having measurements of the X-ray and optical luminosities, both in outburst and quiescence, allows for the estimation of a system's orbital period. In this way we have now calculated or constrained this important parameter for 9 systems and can begin comparing these values to those of the X-ray binary population in our own galaxy.