A ROSAT PSPC catalogue of X-ray sources in the LMC region

Free access article

Issue		Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. Volume 139, Number 2, October II 1999


Page(s)		277 - 295
DOI		http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/aas:1999394

DOI: 10.1051/aas:1999394

Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 139, 277-295

A ROSAT PSPC catalogue of X-ray sources in the LMC region

F. Haberl and W. Pietsch

Send offprint request: F. Haberl (fwh@mpe.mpg.de)

Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstraße, 85748 Garching, Germany

Received April 30; accepted July 9, 1999

Abstract:

We analyzed more than 200 ROSAT PSPC observations in a 10 by 10 degree field centered on the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and performed between 1990 and 1994 to derive a catalogue of X-ray sources. The list contains 758 sources with their X-ray properties. From cross-correlations of the PSPC catalogue with the SIMBAD data base and literature searches we give likely identifications for 144 X-ray sources based on positional coincidence, but taking into account X-ray properties like hardness ratios and source extent. 46 known sources are associated with supernova remnants (SNRs) and candidates in the LMC, most of them already detected by previous X-ray missions. Including the new candidates from Haberl & Pietsch (1999) based on variability studies of the sources in our PSPC catalogue, the number of X-ray binaries in the LMC increased to 17 and that of the supersoft sources (SSSs) to 9. The remaining $\sim$ 50% of the identified sources comprise mainly foreground stars (up to 57) and background extragalactic objects (up to 15). The often distinguished X-ray properties of the different source types were used for a first classification of new, unknown X-ray sources. Eight new PSPC sources are classified as SNRs from their hardness ratios and one promising new SNR candidate with extended X-ray emission is found further north than all known SNRs. Three soft X-ray sources have hardness ratios compatible to those of the known SSSs. A selection on hardness ratios and X-ray to optical flux ratio further suggests 27 foreground stars and 3 AGN.

Key words: catalogues -- galaxies: magellanic clouds -- galaxies: stellar content -- X-rays: galaxies -- X-rays: stars

SIMBAD Objects

What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.

If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.