Exploring the Nature of ULX X-3 in NGC 4258
Abstract
We report on the analysis of the archival data of Ultraluminous X-ray Source (ULX) NGC 4258 X-3. Observations of the ULX X-3 have been carried out with Chandra and XMM-Newton covering the time interval 2000-2006. The source has a peak luminosity of L_{x} ∼ 5.4 ×10^{39} erg s^{-1} however, the luminosity of the source changes a factor of ∼ 3 throughout the observations. We have seen no evidence for a possible state transition or spectral variation. Using the luminosity and spectral parameters of the source the mass of the compact object estimated as ∼15 Msun. HST/ACS/WFC archival data have been analyzed to investigate the optical counterpart of ULX X-3. After the relative astrometric correction between Chandra and HST and by carefully examining the images of F435W, F555W and F814W filters multiple sources were identified within the error radius of 0.3 arcsec. The counterpart candidates have absolute magnitudes in the range M_{V} ∼(-4)-(-5.8).We will be discussed how the X-ray and the optical analyses results of ULX X-3 provide insight into the true nature of this source.
- Publication:
-
The X-ray Universe 2017
- Pub Date:
- October 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017xru..conf..247A