X-Ray Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud by the Copernicus Satellite
Abstract
The X-ray sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud have been observed using the Mullard Space Science Laboratory instrumentation on board the Copernicus satellite. We have located LMC X-1 to an accuracy of 2' and find that it is associated with part of the Henize Ha nebulosity N159 and the intense radio object MC 77. The Be-type supergiant star R149 lies close to our minimum x2 position. LMC X-2 is situated in the upper hall of the Uhuru error box, and the supergiant R96 is suggested as a possible optical candidate. We have located LMC X-3 to better than 1 `.0, and only two stars brighter than 17 mag lie within the error circle. The intensities of LMC X-2 and LMC X-3 differ significantly from those previously published. A search for LMC X4 has detected no flux. We discuss the possible nature of the three bright LMC X-ray sources, their relationship with optical and radio features, and the implications concerning their state of evolution. Subject headings: binaries - Magellanic Clouds - X-ray sources
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1086/181564
- Bibcode:
- 1974ApJ...191L.113R