We present an analysis of the individual observations of a deep XMM-Newton survey of the Local Group spiral galaxy M33. We detected a total of 350 sources with fluxes (in the 0.2-4.5keV energy band) in the range 6.7x10^-16^-1.5x10^-11^erg/s. This comprehensive study considers flux variability, spectral characteristics, and classification of the detected objects. Thirty-nine objects in our catalogue are new sources, while 311 were already detected in a previous analysis of most of the same data using combined images. We present improved positions of these sources and the X-ray parameters of each source in each individual observation that covers the source. We then used these parameters to systematically search for flux variability on time scales of hours to months or years. The long-term light-curves were generated for the 61 sources showing a significant variability of the (0.2-4.5)keV flux, by a factor of 1.2 to 144. The detected variability was then used to classify 8 new X-ray binary candidates in M33. Together with the hardness ratio method and cross-correlation with optical, infrared, and radio data, we also classify or confirm previous classification of 25 supernova remnants and candidates, 2 X-ray binaries, and 11 super-soft source candidates (7 of which are new SSS candidates). In addition, we classify 13 active galactic nuclei and background galaxies, 6 stars, and 23 foreground star candidates in the direction of M33. Further 206 objects are classified as 'hard', approximately half of which are sources intrinsic to M33. The relative contribution of the classified XRB and SSS in M33 is now comparable to M31. The luminosity distribution of SNRs in both spiral galaxies is almost the same, although the number of the detected SNRs in M33 remains much higher.
We present an extension to our XMM-Newton X-ray source catalogue of M 31, containing 39 newly found sources. In order to classify and identify more of the sources we search for X-ray time variability in XMM-Newton archival data the M31 centre field. As source list we use our extended catalogue based on observations covering the time span from June 2000 to July 2004. We then determine the flux or at least an upper limit at the source positions for each observation. Deriving the flux ratios for the different observations and searching for the maximum flux difference we determine variability factors. We also calculated the significance of the flux ratios. Using hardness ratios, X-ray variability and cross correlations with catalogues in the X-ray, optical, infrared and radio regimes, we detected three super soft source candidates, one supernova remnant and six supernova remnant candidates, one globular cluster candidate, three X-ray binaries and four X-ray binary candidates. Additionally we identified one foreground star candidate and classified fifteen sources with hard spectra, which may either be X-ray binaries or Crab-like supernova remnants in M31 or background active galactic nuclei. The remaining five sources stay unidentified or without classification. Based on the time variability results we suggest six sources, which were former classified as "hard", to be X-ray binary candidates. The classification of one source (XMMM31 J004236.7+411349) as supernova remnant, has to be rejected due to the distinct time variability we found. We now classify this source as a foreground star.
The maximum number density of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), as deduced from X-ray studies, occurs at z>=1, with lower luminosity objects peaking at smaller redshifts. Optical studies lead to a different evolutionary behaviour, with a number density peaking at z~2 independently of the intrinsic luminosity, but this result is limited to active nuclei brighter than the host galaxy. A selection based on optical variability can detect low luminosity AGNs (LLAGNs), where the host galaxy light prevents the identification by non-stellar colours. We want to collect X-ray data in a field where it exists an optically-selected sample of "variable galaxies", i.e. variable objects with diffuse appearance, to investigate the X-ray and optical properties of the population of AGNs, particularly of low luminosity ones, where the host galaxy is visible. We observed a field of ~0.2{deg}^2^ in the Selected Area 57, for 67ks with XMM-Newton. We detected X-ray sources, and we correlated the list with a photographic survey of SA 57, complete to B_J_~23 and with available spectroscopic data. We obtained a catalogue of 140 X-ray sources to limiting fluxes 5x10^-16^, 2x10^-15^erg/cm^2^/s in the 0.5-2keV and 2-10keV respectively, 98 of which are identified in the optical bands. The X-ray detection of part of the variability-selected candidates confirms their AGN nature. Diffuse variable objects populate the low luminosity side of the sample. Only 25/44 optically-selected QSOs are detected in X-rays. 15% of all QSOs in the field have X/O<0.1.
The formation and evolution of cosmic structures can be probed by studying the evolution of the luminosity function of the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), galaxies and clusters of galaxies and of the clustering of the X-ray active Universe, compared to the IR-UV active Universe. To this purpose, we have surveyed with XMM-Newton the central ~0.6{deg}^2^ region of the ELAIS-S1 field down to flux limits of ~5.5x10^-16^erg/cm^2^/s (0.5-2keV, soft band, S), ~2x10^-15^erg/cm^2^/s (2-10keV, hard band, H), and ~4x10^-15^erg/cm^2^/s (5-10keV, ultra hard band, HH). We present here the analysis of the XMM-Newton observations, the number counts in different energy bands and the clustering properties of the X-ray sources.
We present the optical identifications and a multi-band catalogue of a sample of 478 X-ray sources detected in the XMM-Newton and Chandra surveys of the central 0.6deg^2^ of the ELAIS-S1 field. The most likely optical/infrared counterpart of each X-ray source was identified using the chance coincidence probability in the R and IRAC 3.6 micron bands.This method was complemented by the precise positions obtained through Chandra observations. We were able to associate a counterpart to each X-ray source in the catalogue. Approximately 94% of them are detected in the R band, while the remaining are blank fields in the optical down to R~24.5, but have a near-infrared counterpart detected by IRAC within 6 arcsec from the XMM-Newton centroid. The multi-band catalogue, produced using the positions of the identified optical counterparts, contains photometry in ten photometric bands, from B to the MIPS 24 micron band. The spectroscopic follow-up allowed us to determine the redshift and classification for 237 sources (~50% of the sample) brighter than R=24. The spectroscopic redshifts were complemented by reliable photometric redshifts for 68 sources. We classified 47% of the sources with spectroscopic redshift as broad-line active galactic nuclei (BL AGNs) with z=0.1-3.5, while sources without broad-lines (NOT BL AGNs) are about 46% of the spectroscopic sample and are found up to z=2.6. The remaining fraction is represented by extended X-ray sources and stars. We spectroscopically identified 11 type 2 QSOs among the sources with X/O>8, with redshift between 0.9 and 2.6, high 2-10keV luminosity (logLx>=43.8erg/s) and hard X-ray colors suggesting large absorbing columns at the rest frame (logN_H_ up to 23.6cm^-2^). BL AGNs show on average blue optical-to-near-infrared colors, softer X-ray colors and X-ray-to-optical colors typical of optically selected AGNs. Conversely, narrow-line sources show redder optical colors, harder X-ray flux ratio and span a wider range of X-ray-to-optical colors. On average the Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) of high-luminosity BL AGNs resemble the power-law typical of unobscured AGNs. The SEDs of NOT BLAGNs are dominated by the galaxy emission in the optical/near-infrared, and show a rise in the mid-infrared which suggests the presence of an obscured active nucleus. We study the infrared-to-optical colors and near-infrared SEDs to infer the properties of the AGN host galaxies.
We studied X-ray emission from young stars by analyzing the deep XMM-Newton observations of two regions of the Upper Scorpius association with an age of 5Myr. Based on near infrared and optical photometry we identified 22 Upper Scorpius photometric members among the 224 detected X-ray sources. We derived coronal properties of Upper Scorpius stars by performing X-ray spectral and timing analyses. The study of four strong and isolated stellar flares allowed us to derive the length of the flaring loops.
We present the XMM-Newton Wide Angle Survey (XWAS), a new catalogue of almost a thousand X-ray sources spectroscopically identified through optical observations. Sources lie in high-galactic latitude (|b|>20deg) XMM-Newton fields mainly in the southern hemisphere. A sample of X-ray sources detected in 68 XMM-Newton pointed observations was selected for optical multi-fibre spectroscopy. Optical counterparts and corresponding photometry of the X-ray sources were obtained from the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey. Candidates for spectroscopy were initially selected with magnitudes down to R~21, with preference for X-ray sources having a flux F_0.5-4.5keV_>=10^-14^erg/s/cm2. Optical spectroscopic observations were made using the Two Degree Field of the Anglo Australian Telescope, and the resulting spectra were classified based on optical emission lines. We have identified through optical spectroscopy 940 X-ray sources over {Omega}~11.8deg^2^ of the sky. Source populations in our sample can be summarised as 65% broad line active galactic nuclei (BLAGN), 16% narrow emission line galaxies (NELGs), 6% absorption line galaxies (ALGs) and 13% stars. An active nucleus is also likely to be present in the large majority of the X-ray sources spectroscopically classified as NELGs or ALGs.
The COSMOS survey is a multiwavelength survey aimed to study the evolution of galaxies, AGN and large scale structures. Within this survey XMM-COSMOS a powerful tool to detect AGN and galaxy clusters. The XMM-COSMOS is a deep X-ray survey over the full 2deg^2^ of the COSMOS area. It consists of 55 XMM-Newton pointings for a total exposure of ~1.5Ms with an average vignetting-corrected depth of 40ks across the field of view and a sky coverage of 2.13deg^2^. The analysis was performed using the XMM-SAS data analysis package in the 0.5-2keV, 2-10keV and 5-10keV energy bands. Source detection has been performed using a maximum likelihood technique especially designed for raster scan surveys. The completeness of the catalogue as well as logN-logS and source density maps have been calibrated using Monte Carlo simulations.
This paper reports the search for quiescent low-mass X-ray binaries (qLMXBs) in the globular cluster (GC) NGC 6553 using an XMM-Newton observation designed specifically for that purpose. We spectrally identify one candidate qLMXB in the core of the cluster, based on the consistency of the spectrum with a neutron star H-atmosphere model at the distance of NGC 6553. Specifically, the best-fit radius found using the three XMM European Photon Imaging Camera spectra is R_NS_=6.3^+2.3^_-0.8_ km (for M_NS_=1.4 M_{sun}_) and the best-fit temperature is kT_eff_=136^+21^_-34_ eV. Both physical parameters are in accordance with typical values of previously identified qLMXBs in GC and in the field, i.e., R_NS_~5-20 km and kT_eff_=50-150 eV. A power-law (PL) component with a photon index {Gamma}=2.1^+0.5^_-0.8_ is also required for the spectral fit and contributes ~33% of the total flux of the X-ray source. A detailed analysis supports the hypothesis that the PL component originates from nearby sources in the core, unresolved with XMM. The analysis of an archived Chandra observation provides marginal additional support to the stated hypothesis. Finally, a catalog of all the sources detected within the XMM field of view is presented here.
We carried out new observations of two fields in the star-forming northern ring of M31 with XMM-Newton with two exposures of about 100 ks each. A previous XMM-Newton survey of the entire M31 galaxy revealed extended diffuse X-ray emission in these regions. We study the population of X-ray sources in the northern disc of M31 by compiling a complete list of X-ray sources down to a sensitivity limit of ~7x10^34^erg/s (0.5-2.0keV) and improve the identification of the X-ray sources. The major objective of the observing programme was the study of the hot phase of the interstellar medium (ISM) in M31. The analysis of the diffuse emission and the study of the ISM is presented in a separate paper. We analysed the spectral properties of all detected sources using hardness ratios and spectra if the statistics were high enough. We also checked for variability. In order to classify the sources detected in the new deep XMM-Newton observations, we cross-correlated the source list with the source catalogue of a new survey of the northern disc of M31 carried out with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope (Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury, PHAT) as well as with other existing catalogues We detected a total of 389 sources in the two fields of the northern disc ofM31 observed with XMM-Newton.We identified 43 foreground stars and candidates and 50 background sources. Based on the comparison to the results of the Chandra/PHAT survey, we classify 24 hard X-ray sources as new candidates for X-ray binaries (XRBs). In total, we identified 34 X-ray binaries and candidates and 18 supernova remnants (SNRs) and candidates. We studied the spectral properties of the four brightest SNRs and confirmed five new X-ray SNRs. Three of the four SNRs, for which a spectral analysis was performed, show emission mainly below 2 keV, which is consistent with shocked ISM. The spectra of two of them also require an additional component with a higher temperature. The SNR [SPH11] 1535 has a harder spectrum and might suggest that there is a pulsar-wind nebula inside the SNR. For all SNRs in the observed fields, we measured the X-ray flux or calculated upper limits. We also carried out short-term and long-term variability studies of the X-ray sources and found five new sources showing clear variability. In addition, we studied the spectral properties of the transient source SWIFT J004420.1+413702, which shows significant variation in flux over a period of seven months (June 2015 to January 2016) and associated change in absorption. Based on the likely optical counterpart detected in the Chandra/PHAT survey, the source is classified as a low-mass X-ray binary.
