Unlocking the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources using their X-ray spectra

Gladstone, J.C.; Roberts, T.P.; Done, C.

Abstract

We explore the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources through detailed investigations of their spectral shape using some of the highest quality data available in the XMM-Newton public archives. Phenomenological models allow us to characterise their spectra, while more ‘physically-motivated’ models enable us to explore the physical processes underlying these characteristics. These physical models imply the presence of extreme (probably super-Eddington) accretion on to stellar mass black holes.

Citation

Gladstone, J., Roberts, T., & Done, C. (2011). Unlocking the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources using their X-ray spectra. Astronomical Notes, 332(4), 345-348. https://doi.org/10.1002/asna.201011496

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 24, 2014
• Journal: Astronomische Nachrichten
• Print ISSN: 0004-6337
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-3994
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 332
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 345-348
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/asna.201011496
• Keywords: Accretion disks, Black hole physics, X-rays, Binaries.