High resolution Chandra X-ray imaging of the nucleus of M 33
Abstract
We show with a short Chandra HRC-S exposure that the powerful X-ray source coincident with the nucleus of M 33 is unresolved at the highest spatial resolution available to date (0.4 arcsec). The source flux is variable, doubling during the 5 ks exposure. The combination of properties exhibited by M 33 X-8 establishes the source as the nearest example of the ultra-luminous X-ray sources that have been uncovered in other nearby galaxies. On short timescales, we set limits of 9% rms variability for pulsations in the 0.01-1000 Hz range.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20041253
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0406310
- Bibcode:
- 2004A&A...425...95D
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: individual: M 33;
- galaxies: nuclei;
- galaxies: Local Group;
- X-rays: galaxies;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- accepted for publication in A&