Bibcode
Galache, Jose; Garcia, M.; Steeghs, D.; Torres, M.; Williams, B.; Murray, S.; Primini, F.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society Meeting 210, #20.05; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.122
Advertised on:
5
2007
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
quisence, allows for the estimation of a system's orbital period. In
this way we have now calculated or constrained this important parameter
for 6 systems, and will have a further 6 by the end of the current
Chandra cycle. With 12 orbital periods known, it will be possible to
compare these values to those of the X-ray binary population in our own
galaxy.