Ultraluminous X-ray Sources in Interacting Galaxies
Abstract
I give a brief review of how X-rays from nearby galaxies are used as direct tracers of recent star formation. This leads to the conclusion that it is the most luminous point-like sources that are associated with star formation and that the majority of these are high-mass X-ray binaries. I then discuss a recent study that shows that ULXs are preferentially found in regions as young as or younger than typical H II regions in their host galaxies. Finally, I describe a new study that attempts to determine the maximum luminosity of ULXs in the local universe by searching for them in interacting galaxies where the star formation rate is high.
- Publication:
-
Galaxy Wars: Stellar Populations and Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies
- Pub Date:
- June 2010
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.0908.2459
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0908.2459
- Bibcode:
- 2010ASPC..423..277S
- Keywords:
-
- Astrophysics - Galaxy Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 5 pages to appear in the Proceedings of the Galaxy Wars: Stellar Populations and Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies Conference