Coded mask X-ray images of the Large Magellanic Cloud : hard X-ray emission from EXO 053109-6609.2
Abstract
Hard X-ray (2-32 keV) imaging observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) with the University of Birmingham coded mask X-ray telescope (SL2 XRT) have detected significant high-energy flux from EXO 053109-6609.2, a source recently discovered at soft X-ray energies with EXO-SAT. We confirm the conclusion reached by Brunner that, despite earlier conclusions to the contrary, the source has a very hard spectrum. Assuming the source to be in the LMC, its luminosity in the 2-10 keV energy band is ~ 1 x 10^37^ erg s^-1^. A comparison of the SL2 XRT flux with observations with other instruments shows that the source is highly variable on a time-scale of years or less. The spectral and temporal characteristics of this source are consistent with an identification as either a Be star/neutron star binary system or a background active galactic nucleus. Recent spectroscopic observations (M. Pakuli and K. Beuermann, private communication) favour the former.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- September 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/240.1.1P
- Bibcode:
- 1989MNRAS.240P...1H
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- X Ray Imagery;
- X Ray Sources;
- Exosat Satellite;
- Luminosity;
- Spaceborne Telescopes;
- X Ray Telescopes;
- Astrophysics