Optical Counterpart of the ULX in NGC 247
Abstract
A recent XMM-Newton observation revealed a highly interesting ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in NGC 247. It is similar to Galactic black hole binaries (BHBs) at the thermal dominant state while the cool, ultraluminous disk suggests the presence of an intermediate mass black hole. ULXs are rarely found in the thermal dominant state and this source would provide us a precious laboratory to study the connection between ULXs and Galactic BHBs. We propose Chandra and HST observations of the source to accurately measure its X-ray position, identify a unique optical counterpart, and search for optical nebulosity. Identification of the optical counterpart will help constrain its evolutionary history and physical nature.
- Publication:
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Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cxo..prop.3083F