Identifying the Optical Counterparts of ULXs in the Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy NGC 4861 (Mrk 59)
Abstract
We propose to observe two ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in the metal-deficit blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy NGC 4861 (Mrk 59) with Chandra. From previous XMM-Newton observations, we obtained luminosities of Lx~ 1.1x10^40 erg/s for the brightest source (ULX-1) and Lx ~ 4.9x10^39 erg/s for the second brightest source (ULX-2) in the field of view. From H-alpha and [S II] images, we find that both sources are in the proximity of regions of diffuse nebulosity, which may be powered by the ULXs. In order to precisely locate the ULXs, we propose to perform a 20 ks Chandra ACIS-I observation. This will allow us to perform very precise astrometry and locate the sources with very high accuracy.
- Publication:
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Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cxo..prop.3102Y