X-ray sources in globular clusters of other galaxies

Abstract

A large number of X-ray sources in globular clusters of galaxies other than the Milky Way has been found with Chandra. We discuss three issues relating to these sources. The X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of the sources in globular clusters of M31 is marginally compatible with the XLF of globular clusters of the Milky Way. The individual XLFs of a dozen elliptical galaxies, after correction for incompleteness, are compatible with one another and show no break; however, the XLF found by adding the individual XLFs of elliptical galaxies has a break at L_x about 5x10(38) ergs/s. For the moment there is no evidence for a difference between the XLFs of sources inside and outside globular clusters of elliptical galaxies. It is not (yet?) possible to decide which fraction of low-mass X-ray binaries in elliptical galaxies outside globular clusters have formed inside globular clusters.

arXiv comment7 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Interacting Binaries: accretion, evolution and outcomes, AIP, eds. L. Antonelli et. al