EXOSAT/ME Galactic Plane Survey: 70 Discrete X-Ray Sources

A 1988 catalog from the EXOSAT satellite's medium-energy proportional counters contains 70 discrete sources of 2-6 keV X-ray emission. The data maps the distribution of this emission in the first and fourth galactic quadrants, presented as contour maps and a source list. This service is provided by NASA's High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC).

Use Cases

• Identify and catalog discrete X-ray sources in the galactic plane based on the 70-source list.
• Analyze the spatial distribution of 2-6 keV X-ray emission across galactic quadrants based on the contour maps.
• Cross-reference X-ray sources with other astronomical surveys using the provided catalog identifiers.
• Study galactic structure and high-energy astrophysical processes using the EXOSAT satellite data.

Strengths

• Contains a specific catalog of 70 discrete X-ray sources.
• Data originates from a well-documented scientific instrument (EXOSAT medium-energy proportional counters).
• Provided by an authoritative source, NASA's HEASARC.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The underlying data is from 1988; newer observations may supersede some findings.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC).

Collection Method

Scanning observations with the medium-energy proportional counters on the EXOSAT satellite.

Time Range

Observations likely from the EXOSAT mission period (1983-1986), catalog published 1988.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:16:06.423075; freshness should be verified.

Geography

The first and fourth quadrants of the galactic plane.