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B. F. Williams, M. R. Garcia, A. K. H. Kong (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), L. O. Sjouwerman (NRAO), J. D. Gelfand (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
The unprecedented spatial resolution of Chandra is allowing reliable identifications of the counterparts of M31 X-ray sources at other wavelengths. Comparisons with Hubble Space Telescope data, recent ground-based Local Group Survey data, and Very Large Array radio data reveal many interesting objects. These include newly-resolved X-ray/optical/radio supernova remnants (SNRs), Planetary Nebulae (PNe) paired with bright X-ray sources, and newly-discovered optical counterparts for X-ray novae (XRNe). Each finding is a potential gem, opening the door to multiwavelength studies of individual objects in a large spiral galaxy outside of the Milky Way. The SNRs are among the first resolved in X-rays beyond the Magellanic Clouds. The proximity of the PNe to bright X-ray sources is yet unexplained. Most of the X-ray novae are likely from binaries containing black holes (BHs), while some may be from binaries containing neutron stars (NSs). This study may reveal the ratio of BHs to NSs in low mass X-ray binary systems in M31. The multiwavelength properties of some of these intriguing sources are shown. Support for this work was provided by NASA from STScI, the CXC, and the LTSA program.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.