NGC 6791: Chandra X-Ray Point Source Catalog for an 8 Gyr Open Cluster
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Description
86 X-ray point sources detected by the Chandra observatory within 8 arcminutes of the center of NGC 6791, an 8-billion-year-old open star cluster. The catalog includes 20 sources identified as proper-motion cluster members, comprising cataclysmic variables, active binaries, and sub-subgiant binaries. Data was collected by NASA's Chandra ACIS instrument on July 1-2, 2004, with follow-up optical spectroscopy in 2005.
Use Cases
Compare X-ray luminosity distributions of binary stars based on the detection threshold of ~1e30 erg/s mentioned in the description.
Study the population and properties of cataclysmic variables in old open clusters based on the confirmed and candidate CVs identified.
Analyze the impact of dynamical encounters on binary survival rates based on the comparison with globular clusters discussed.
Cross-match X-ray source positions with optical catalogs using the provided J2000.0 coordinates of the cluster center.
Strengths
Includes 86 detected X-ray sources with 59 located within the cluster's half-mass radius of 4.42 arcminutes.
Source classifications are supported by follow-up optical spectroscopy from telescopes like the 6.5m MMT.
Observation details are precise, including a 48.2ks exposure time and specific observation dates.
Limitations
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Last updated 2026-03-13 18:13:51.231841; freshness should be verified.
Provenance
Source
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Collection Method
X-ray observations from the Chandra ACIS instrument, supplemented by ground-based optical spectroscopy.
Time Range
Primary X-ray observation on 2004-07-01 to 2004-07-02; follow-up spectroscopy in 2005.