ULXs: are they intermediate mass black holes?
Abstract
It is hotly debated whether ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in nearby galaxies are intermediate mass black holes or stellar mass black holes with special radiation mechanisms. Here we propose to obtain the radial velocity amplitude for M101-ULX by measuring the shift of the strong HeII l4686 emission line from its Wolf-Rayet secondary, with four half nights scattered in ten dark nights to cover the possible orbital period range revealed from HST monitoring programs. This program will lead to the secure determination of the black hole mass and settle the debate.
- Publication:
-
Keck Observatory Archive LRIS
- Pub Date:
- February 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010koa..prop..206L