XMM-Newton Observations of Luminous Sources in the Nearby Galaxies: NGC 4395, NGC 4736, and NGC 4258

TL;DR

This study analyzes X-ray sources in three nearby galaxies using XMM-Newton and Chandra data, revealing diverse populations including ULXs, XRBs, transients, and a confirmed SNR, with spectral and temporal properties indicating accreting systems.

Contribution

First detailed spectral and timing analysis of non-nuclear X-ray sources in NGC 4395, NGC 4736, and NGC 4258 using combined XMM-Newton and Chandra data.

Findings

Detection of 75 X-ray sources within galaxy regions.

Spectral fitting performed for 16 sources, revealing diverse classes.

Most sources are likely accreting X-ray binaries.

Abstract

We present results from a study of the non-nuclear discrete sources in a sample of three nearby spiral galaxies (NGC 4395, NGC 4736, and NGC 4258) based on XMM-Newton archival data supplemented with Chandra data for spectral and timing analyses. A total of 75 X-ray sources has been detected within the D25 regions of the target galaxies. The large collecting area of XMM-Newton makes the statistics sufficient to obtain spectral fitting for 16 (about 20%) of these sources. Compiling the extensive archival exposures available, we were able to obtain the detailed spectral shapes of diverse classes of point sources. We have also studied temporal properties of these luminous sources. 11 of them are found to show short-term (less than 80 ks) variation while 8 of them show long-term variation within factors of ~ 2 to 5 during a time interval of ~ 2 to 12 years. Timing analysis provides strong evidence that most of these sources are accreting X-ray binary (XRB) systems. One source that has properties different than others was suspected to be a Supernova Remnant (SNR), and our follow-up optical observation confirmed it. Our results indicate that sources within the three nearby galaxies are showing a variety of source populations, including several Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources (ULXs), X-ray binaries (XRBs), transients together with a Super Soft Source (SSS) and a background Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) candidate.