Characterizing the X-ray Source Population of The Whirlpool Galaxy

The advent of modern high-resolution X-ray astronomy in the form of the \\textit{Chandra X-ray Observatory} has opened a new window into the high-energy universe. Scientists have been able to observe with unparalleled precision such fantastic phenomena as AGN, supernova remnants and X-ray binaries. We have since discovered that these exotic objects are actually quite prevalent, both in our own Milky Way and in external galaxies, and exert a tremendous influence on their surroundings. These objects are thus directly correlated with ISM kinematics and chemical enrichment, star-formation and galaxy evolution, and they serve as excellent astrophysical laboratories of exotic phenomena in their own rights. This work seeks to determine and systematically analyze the X-ray properties of the 335 discrete X-ray sources in The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51 (NGC 5194). It uses almost a Megasecond of archival \\textit{Chandra} data spanning 12 years of observations to extract X-ray colors and source variability and fit the X-ray luminosity function, as well as \\textit{Hubble Space Telescope} images from the Hubble Legacy Archive to find optical counterparts to the X-ray sources. I find a population dominated by high mass X-ray binaries that appear to have formed in a single epoch of star formation most likely caused by the interaction with NGC 5195. I also report the discovery of three nebulae coincident with X-ray sources, which are possibly shock-ionized nebulae blown by the jets of microquasars.

    Item Description
    Name(s)
    Date
    April 15, 2015
    Extent
    101 pages
    Language
    eng
    Genre
    Physical Form
    electronic
    Discipline
    Rights and Use
    In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted
    Restrictions on Use
    Access limited to Wesleyan Community only. Please contact wesscholar@wesleyan.edu for more information.
    Digital Collection
    PID
    ir:2186