Bibcode
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
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.