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Description
Results are reported from the first survey of X-ray emission from galaxies in pairs. The sample consists of 52 pairs of galaxies from the Catalog of Paired Galaxies (Cat. <VII/77>) whose coordinates overlap the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter pointed observations. The mean observed log(L_x_) for early-type pairs is 41.35+/-0.21, while the mean log(L_x_) predicted using the (L_X_-L_b_) relationship for isolated early-type galaxies is 42.10+/-0.19. With 95% confidence, the galaxies in pairs are underluminous in the X-ray, compared with isolated galaxies, for the same L_b_. A significant fraction of the mixed pair sample also appears similarly underluminous. A spatial analysis shows that the X-ray emission from pairs of both types typically has an extent of 10 - 50 kpc, much smaller than the group intergalactic medium, and thus likely originates from the galaxies. CPG 564, the most X-ray luminous early-type pair, 4.7x10^42^ergs/s, is an exception. The extent of its X-ray emission, greater than 169 kpc, and HWHM, {~}80 kpc, is comparable to that expected from an intergalactic medium. The sample shows only a weak correlation, {~}81% confidence, between L_X_ and L_b_, presumably due to variations in gas content within the galaxies. No correlation between L_X_ and the pair velocity difference ({delta}v), separation ({delta}r), or far-infrared luminosity (L_fir_) is found, although the detection rate is low, 22%.
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