R. Barnard

The deep XMM-Newton Survey of M 31

Aims. The largest Local Group spiral galaxy, M 31, has been completely imaged for the first time, obtaining a luminosity lower limit ~10 35 ergu2009s -1 in the 0.2–4.5u2009keV band. Our XMM-Newton EPIC survey combines archival observations along the major axis, from June 2000 to July 2004, with observations taken between June 2006 and February 2008 that cover the remainder of the D 25 ellipse. The main goal of the paper is to study the X-ray source population of M 31. n Methods. An X-ray catalogue of 1897 sources was created, with 914 detected for the first time. Source classification and identification were based on X-ray hardness ratios, spatial extent of the sources, and cross correlation with catalogues in the X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. We also analysed the long-term variability of the X-ray sources and this variability allows us to distinguish between X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei (AGN). Furthermore, supernova remnant classifications of previous studies that did not use long-term variability as a classification criterion could be validated. Including previous Chandra and ROSAT observations in the long-term variability study allowed us to detect additional transient or at least highly variable sources, which are good candidate X-ray binaries. n Results. Fourteen of the 30 supersoft source (SSS) candidates represent supersoft emission of optical novae. Many of the 25 supernova remnants (SNRs) and 31 SNR candidates lie within the 10u2009kpc dust ring and other star-forming regions in M 31. This connection between SNRs and star-forming regions implies that most of the remnants originate in type II supernovae. The brightest sources in X-rays in M 31 belong to the class of X-ray binaries (XRBs). Ten low-mass XRBs (LMXBs) and 26 LMXB candidates were identified based on their temporal variability. In addition, 36 LMXBs and 17 LMXB candidates were identified owing to correlations with globular clusters and globular cluster candidates. From optical and X-ray colour-colour diagrams, possible high-mass XRB (HMXB) candidates were selected. Two of these candidates have an X-ray spectrum as is expected for an HMXB containing a neutron star primary. n Conclusions. While our survey has greatly improved our understanding of the X-ray source populations in M 31, at this point 65% of the sources can still only be classified as “hard” sources; i.e. it is not possible to decide whether these sources are X-ray binaries or Crab-like supernova remnants in M 31 or X-ray sources in the background. Deeper observations in X-ray and at other wavelengths would help classify these sources.

From X-Ray Dips to Eclipse: Witnessing Disk Reformation in the Recurrent Nova U?Sco

The tenth recorded outburst of the recurrent eclipsing nova U Sco was observed simultaneously in X-ray, UV, and optical by XMM-Newton on days 22.9 and 34.9 after the outburst. Two full passages of the companion in front of the nova ejecta were observed, as was the reformation of the accretion disk. On day 22.9, we observed smooth eclipses in UV and optical but deep dips in the X-ray light curve that disappeared by day 34.9, yielding clean eclipses in all bands. X-ray dips can be caused by clumpy absorbing material that intersects the line of sight while moving along highly elliptical trajectories. Cold material from the companion could explain the absence of dips in UV and optical light. The disappearance of X-ray dips before day 34.9 implies significant progress in the formation of the disk. The X-ray spectra contain photospheric continuum emission plus strong emission lines, but no clear absorption lines. Both continuum and emission lines in the X-ray spectra indicate a temperature increase from day 22.9 to day 34.9. We find clear evidence in the spectra and light curves for Thompson scattering of the photospheric emission from the white dwarf. Photospheric absorption lines can be smeared out during scatteringmorexa0» in a plasma of fast electrons. We also find spectral signatures of resonant line scattering that lead to the observation of the strong emission lines. Their dominance could be a general phenomenon in high-inclination systems such as Cal 87.«xa0less

12 YEARS OF X-RAY VARIABILITY IN M31 GLOBULAR CLUSTERS, INCLUDING 8 BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES, AS SEEN BY CHANDRA

We examined 134 Chandra observations of the population of X-ray sources associated with globular clusters (GCs) in the central region of M31. These are expected to be X-ray binary systems (XBs), consisting of a neutron star or black hole accreting material from a close companion. We created long-term light curves for these sources, correcting for background, interstellar absorption, and instrumental effects. We tested for variability by examining the goodness of fit for the best-fit constant intensity. We also created structure functions (SFs) for every object in our sample, the first time this technique has been applied to XBs. We found significant variability in 28 out of 34 GCs and GC candidates; the other 6 sources had 0.3‐10 keV luminosities fainter than ∼2 × 10 36 erg s −1 , limiting our ability to detect similar variability. The SFs of XBs with 0.3‐10 keV luminosities ∼2‐50 × 10 36 erg s −1 generally showed considerably more variability than the published ensemble SF of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our brightest XBs were mostly consistent with the AGN SF; however, their 2‐10 keV fluxes could be matched by <1 AGN per square degree. These encouraging results suggest that examining the long-term light curves of other X-ray sources in the field may provide an important distinction between X-ray binaries and background galaxies, as the X-ray emission spectra from these two classes of X-ray sources are similar. Additionally, we identify 3 new black hole candidates (BHCs) using additional XMM-Newton data, bringing the total number of M31 GC BHCs to 9, with 8 covered in this survey.

FOUR NEW BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES IDENTIFIED IN M31 GLOBULAR CLUSTERS WITH CHANDRA AND XMM-NEWTON

We have identified four new black hole candidates (BHCs) in M31 globular clusters (GCs) using 123 Chandra and 4 XMM-Newton observations of the M31 central region. The X-ray source associated with Bo 163 (XB163) is a recurrent transient with the highest observed luminosity, {approx}1.4x 10{sup 38} erg s{sup -1}, considerably brighter than any outbursts from neutron star transients Aql X-1 or 4U 1608-452; the outburst apparently started {approx}45 days earlier than the observed peak, and hence the luminosity may have been considerably higher. We identified XB082, XB153, and XB185 as BHCs by observing low state emission spectra at luminosities that exceed the threshold for neutron star binaries. The probability that these are neutron star systems with anisotropic emission beamed toward us is {approx}< 4 x 10{sup -4}, and their variability suggests emission from a single source. We therefore conclude that these systems likely contain black holes rather than neutron stars. We have now identified four persistently bright BHCs in the region; the probability that these are all background active galactic nuclei is {approx}<1x10{sup -20}. According to theory, the donors could be tidally captured main-sequence stars or white dwarfs in ultracompact binaries. We find that GCs that are particularly massive (XB082)morexa0» or metal-rich (XB144) can host bright X-ray sources in addition to GCs that are both (XB163). Our method may reveal BHCs in other bright X-ray sources.«xa0less

CHANDRA IDENTIFICATION OF 26 NEW BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF M31

We have previously identified 10 M31 black hole candidates (BHCs) in M31, from their X-ray properties alone. They exhibit “hard state” emission spectra that are seen at luminosities .10% Eddington in X-ray binaries (XBs) containing a neutron star (NS) or black hole (BH), at luminosities that significantly exceed the NS threshold. Nine of these are associated with globular clusters (GCs); hence, these are most likely low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs); eight are included in this survey. We have recently discovered that analysis of the long term 0.5–4.5 keV variability of XBs via structure functions allows us to separate XBs from AGN, even though the emission spectra are often similar; this has enabled us to search for BHCs outside of GCs. We have identified 26 new BHCs (12 strong, 14 plausible) within 20 ′ of the M31 nucleus (M31*), using 152 Chandra observations spaced over ∼13 years; some of our classifications were enhanced with XMM-Newton observations. Of these, 7 appear within 100 ′′ of M31*; this supports the theory suggesting that this region experiences enhanced XB production via dynamical processes similar to those seen in GCs. We have found a parameter space where our black hole candidates are separated from Galactic neutron star binaries: we show that modelling a simulated hard state spectrum with a disk blackbody + blackbody model yields parameters that lie outside the space occupied by neutron star binaries that are modeled this way. The probability that our BHCs all lie within the NS parameter space is ∼ 3 × 10 −29 . Subject headings: x-rays: general — x-rays: binaries — black hole physics

A PERIOD DISTRIBUTION OF X-RAY BINARIES OBSERVED IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF M31 WITH CHANDRA AND THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

Almost all Galactic black hole binaries with low mass donor stars are transient X-ray sources; we expect most of the X-ray transients observed in external galaxies to be black hole binaries also. Obtaining period estimates for extra-galactic transients is challenging, but the resulting period distribution is an important tool for modeling the evolution history of the host galaxy. We have obtained periods, or upper limits, for 12 transients in M31, using an updated relation between the optical and X-ray luminosities. We have monitored the central region of M31 with Chandra for the last ~12 years, and followed up promising transients with HST; 4sigma B magnitude limits for optical counterparts are ~26--29, depending on crowding. We obtain period estimates for each transient for both neutron star and black hole accretors. Periods range from <0.4 to 490+/-90 hours (<0.97 to <175 hrs if all are BH systems). These M31 transients appear to be somewhat skewed towards shorter periods than the Milky Way (MW) transients; indeed, comparing the M31 and MW transients with survival analysis techniques used to account for some data with only upper limits yield probabilities of ~0.02--0.08 that the two populations are drawn from the same distribution. We also checked for a correlation between orbital period and distance from the nucleus, finding a 12% probability of no correlation. Further observations of M31 transients will strengthen these results.

THE SECOND ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCE TRANSIENT IN M31: CHANDRA, HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE, AND XMM OBSERVATIONS, AND EVIDENCE FOR AN EXTENDED CORONA

XMMU J004243.6+412519 is a transient X-ray source in M31, first discovered 2012 January 15. Different approaches to fitting the brightest follow-up observation gave luminosities 1.3-2.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 39} erg s{sup -1}, making it the second ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in M31, with a probable black hole accretor. These different models represent different scenarios for the corona: optically thick and compact, or optically thin and extended. We obtained Chandra ACIS and Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys observations of this object as part of our transient monitoring program, and also observed it serendipitously in a 120 ks XMM-Newton observation. We identify an optical counterpart at J2000 position 00:42:43.70 +41:25:18.54; its F435W ({approx}B band) magnitude was 25.97 {+-} 0.03 in the 2012 March 7 observation, and >28.4 at the 4{sigma} level during the 2012 September 7 observation, indicating a low-mass donor. We created two alternative light curves, using the different corona scenarios, finding linear decay for the compact corona and exponential decay for the extended corona; linear decay implies a disk that is >5 mag brighter than we observed. We therefore favor the extended corona scenario, but caution that there is no statistical preference for this model in the X-ray spectramorexa0» alone. Using two empirical relations between the X-ray to optical ratio and the orbital period, we estimate a period of {approx}9-30 hr; this period is consistent with that of the first ULX in M31 (18{sup +5}{sub -6} hr)«xa0less

AROUND 200 NEW X-RAY BINARY IDs FROM 13 YR OF CHANDRA OBSERVATIONS OF THE M31 CENTER

We have created 0.3-10 keV, 13 yr, unabsorbed luminosity lightcurves for 528 X-ray sources in the central 20 of M31. We have 174 Chandra observations spaced at ~1 month intervals due to our transient monitoring program, deeper observations of the M31 nucleus, and some public data from other surveys. We created 0.5-4.5 keV structure functions (SFs) for each source for comparison with the ensemble SF of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We find 220 X-ray sources with luminosities 1035 erg s–1 that have SFs with significantly more variability than the ensemble AGN SF, and which are likely X-ray binaries (XBs). A further 30 X-ray sources were identified as XBs using other methods. We therefore have 250 probable XBs in total, including ~200 new identifications. This result represents great progress over the ~50 XBs and ~40 XB candidates previously identified out of the ~2000 X-ray sources within the D 25 region of M31; it also demonstrates the power of SF analysis for identifying XBs in external galaxies. We also identify a new transient black hole candidate, associated with the M31 globular cluster B128.

FIFTY M31 BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES IDENTIFIED BY CHANDRA AND XMM-NEWTON

Over approximately the last five years, we have identified ∼35 black hole candidates (BHCs) in M31 from their X-ray spectra. Our BHCs exhibited 0.3-10 keV spectra consistent with the X-ray binary (XB) hard state at luminosities that are above the upper limit for neutron star (NS) XBs. When our BHC spectra were modeled with a disk blackbody + blackbody model for comparison with bright NS XBs, we found that the BHCs inhabited a different parameter space than the NS XBs. However, BH XBs may also exhibit a thermally dominated (TD) state that has never been seen in NS XBs; this TD state is most often observed in X-ray transients. We examined the ∼50 X-ray transients in our Chandra survey of M31 and found 13 with spectra suitable for analysis. We also examined two BHCs outside the field of view of our survey in the globular clusters B045 and B375. We have 42 strong BHCs and 8 plausible BHCs that may benefit from further observation. Of our 15 BHCs in globular clusters, 12 differ from NS spectra by >5σ. Due to improvements in our analysis, we have upgraded 10 previously identified plausible BHCs to strong BHCs. The mean maximum duty cyclemorexa0» of the 33 X-ray transients within 6 of M31* is 0.13; we estimate that >40% of the XBs in this region contain BH accretors. Remarkably, we estimate that BHCs contribute >90% of those XBs >10{sup 38} erg s{sup –1}.«xa0less

Reinstating the M31 X-Ray System RX J0042.3+4115 as a Black Hole X-Ray Binary and Compelling Evidence for an Extended Corona

The M31 X-ray source RXxa0J0042.3+4115 was originally identified as a black hole (BH) binary because it displayed characteristic low-state variability at conspicuously high luminosities; unfortunately, this variability was later found to be artificial. However, analysis of 84 Chandra ACIS observations, a Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)/WFC observation, and a 60xa0ks XMM-Newton observation has supplied new evidence that RXxa0J0042.3+4115 is indeed a BH binary. The brightest optical star within 3σ of the position of RXJ0042.3+4115 had a F435W (~B) magnitude of 25.4 ± 0.2; M B > –0.4, hence we find a low-mass donor likely. RX J0042.3+4115 was persistently bright over ~12xa0years. Spectral fits revealed characteristic BH binary states: a low/hard state at 2.08 ± 0.08 × 1038xa0ergxa0s–1 and a steep power-law state at 2.41 ± 0.05 × 1038xa0ergxa0s–1 (0.3-10xa0keV). The high-luminosity low state suggests a ~20 M ☉ primary; this is high, but within the range of known stellar BH masses. The inner disk temperature during the steep power-law state is 2.24 ± 0.15xa0keV, high but strikingly similar to that of GRS 1915+105, the only known Galactic BH binary with a low-mass donor to be persistently bright. Therefore, RXxa0J0042.3+4115 may be an analog for GRS 1915+105; however, other mechanisms may account for its behavior. We find compelling evidence for an extended corona during the steep power-law state, because compact corona models where the seed photons for Comptonization are tied to the inner disk temperature are rejected.