XMM-Newton observations of ultraluminous X-ray sources in nearby galaxies

Abstract

An XMM-Newton study of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULX) has been performed in a sample of 10 nearby Seyfert galaxies. Eighteen ULX have been found with positional uncertainty of about 4". The large collecting area of XMM-Newton makes the statistics sufficient to perform spectral fitting with simple models in 8 cases. The main results of the present minisurvey strengthen the theory that the ULX could be accreting black holes in hard or soft state. In some cases, the contribution of the ULX to the overall X-ray flux appears to be dominant with respect to that of the active nucleus. In addition, 6 ULX present probable counterparts at other wavelengths (optical/infrared, radio). A multiwavelength observing strategy is required to better assess the nature of these sources.

arXiv comment10 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication by Astronomy and Astrophysics. If you want figures at full resolution, please send an email to Foschini

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• The Discovery of a High Redshift X-ray Emitting QSO Very Close to the Nucleus of NGC 7319
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