Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources
University of Iowa · Tsinghua University · +1 more institution
Abstract
We review observations of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). X-ray spectroscopic and timing studies of ULXs suggest a new accretion state distinct from those seen in Galactic stellar-mass black hole binaries. The detection of coherent pulsations indicates the presence of neutron-star accretors in three ULXs and therefore apparently super-Eddington luminosities. Optical and X-ray line profiles of ULXs and the properties of associated radio and optical nebulae suggest that ULXs produce powerful outflows, also indicative of super-Eddington accretion. We discuss models of super-Eddington accretion and their relationship to the observed behaviors of ULXs. We review the evidence for intermediate-mass black holes…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 33.38
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 298
Authors
3Topics & keywords
- Physics
- Astrophysics
- Neutron star
- Accretion (finance)
- Astronomy
- Black hole (networking)
- Gravitational wave