NuSTAR Hard X-Ray Survey of the Galactic Center Point Sources

Observations from 2012 onward by the NuSTAR telescope surveyed the Galactic Center region, discovering 70 hard X-ray point sources in a 0.6 square-degree area. The table, created by NASA HEASARC in March 2018, includes source identifications, luminosity data, and spectral analysis suggesting a large fraction of magnetic cataclysmic variables. It covers a total exposure of 1.7 Ms in the central region and 300 ks in the Sgr B2 field.

Use Cases

• Classifying X-ray source populations based on spectral analysis suggesting kT > 20 keV or photon index Gamma = 1.5 - 2.
• Studying the spatial distribution of hard X-ray sources based on the cluster near the Sgr A diffuse complex with no soft counterparts.
• Monitoring long-term X-ray variability of sources using the multiple overlapping observations strategy.
• Identifying candidate counterparts for X-ray sources by cross-matching with Chandra observations mentioned for 58 sources.
• Analyzing the luminosity function of point sources based on reported X-ray luminosities of ~4e32 and ~8e32 erg/s.

Strengths

• Contains results from the first NuSTAR hard X-ray survey of the Galactic Center, covering a 0.6 square-degree region.
• Includes 70 discovered point sources with clear or candidate Chandra counterparts for 77 total sources.
• Spectral analysis provides population-level insights, suggesting >40% - 60% may be magnetic cataclysmic variables.
• Observation strategy with overlapping fields of view was designed to average out vignetting effects for uniform coverage.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

NASA HEASARC, based on CDS Catalog J/ApJ/825/132.

Collection Method

Observations from the NuSTAR space telescope, with data processed and compiled into a catalog.

Time Range

Observations began in July 2012.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:09:03.198154; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Galactic Center region, specifically a 0.6 square-degree area around Sgr A* and the Sgr B2 field.