Poster abstract details
Globular Clusters and X-Ray Source Populations in NGC4261
Abstract
We present results from a combined optical and X-ray study of the nearby elliptical galaxy NGC4261.
Early Chandra data showed indication for an asymmetric distribution of its discrete X-ray sources. We obtained deeper X-ray data in order to asses the significance of this effect and address its origin. These data reach luminosities of $\sim5\times10^{37}$ erg/s, and show a lower degree of asymmetry. We compare the spatial distribution of the X-ray sources with that of globular clusters detected in deep B,V,I HST WFPC2 data which reach a limiting V-band magnitude of $\sim26$mag. The globular-cluster population covers the full color range seen in other elliptical galaxies and shows indication for a bimodal distribution. We find that a large fraction of the X-ray sources are associated with globular clusters. We discuss these results in the context of the GC-LMXB formation scenario.
Early Chandra data showed indication for an asymmetric distribution of its discrete X-ray sources. We obtained deeper X-ray data in order to asses the significance of this effect and address its origin. These data reach luminosities of $\sim5\times10^{37}$ erg/s, and show a lower degree of asymmetry. We compare the spatial distribution of the X-ray sources with that of globular clusters detected in deep B,V,I HST WFPC2 data which reach a limiting V-band magnitude of $\sim26$mag. The globular-cluster population covers the full color range seen in other elliptical galaxies and shows indication for a bimodal distribution. We find that a large fraction of the X-ray sources are associated with globular clusters. We discuss these results in the context of the GC-LMXB formation scenario.