Dr Kinwah Wu (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London)

Discrete and Diffuse X-ray Emission from Nearby Galaxies - Dr Kinwah Wu Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

Recent Chandra and XMM observations have shown that nearby
galaxies contain a large number of discrete X-ray sources.
While most sources are probably X-ray binaries and supernova
remnants, some show peculiar properties which are not common
in the Galactic sources. In particular, the supersoft soures
have very soft X-ray spectra and the ultra-luminous sources
have luminosities appearing to be greatly above the Eddington
limit of stellar-mass accretors. These galaxies also have a
large amount hot X-ray emitting gases, which have various
components. In the talk I will present some of the Chandra
and XMM results and discuss how the source population and the
properties of the diffuse X-ray emission are related to the
starformation activities and the dynamical history of the
host galaxies.