Timing the M82 X-2 pulsar with Chandra and NuSTAR
Abstract
The galaxy M82 harbors two notable ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULX): M82 X-2, the archetipal pulsating ultraluminous X-ray source (PULX), and M82 X-1, a IMBH candidate. The extreme luminosity of ULXs, and the observation of strong winds from these sources, suggests that these sources are undergoing strongly super-Eddington accretion. The supply of matter that powers these accreting systems is likely to come from Roche Lobe overflow from a more massive companion star, and should produce changes of orbital period observable in time scales of ~years. We have recently detected such orbital period derivative thanks to NuSTAR. This program aims at following up on this orbital period derivative through pulsar timing in M82 X-2, using Chandra to select the ideal observing times.
- Publication:
-
Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020cxo..prop.5839B
- Keywords:
-
- Chandra Proposal ID #22400529