Large Magellanic CLOUD-X-4 AO:538-66 and Surrounding X-Ray Sources Observed with EXOSAT

Repeated observations of LMC X-4 with EXOSAT were carried out in 1983/84 in order to study its 30.5 day cycle and to cover the expected outbursts of the recurrent LMC transient A0538-66. The latter source was inactive during our campaign although a variable circumstellar envelope was still present around the optical counterpart. At least ten further X-ray sources are detected in the CMA field of view around LMC X-4 including the SNR N49 which is the possible site for the March 5, 1979 γ-ray burster and N63A which appears to be variable in X-ray luminosity. We furthermore discuss the strongest sources that were not present in a previous EINSTEIN survey of the LMC.