ROSAT PSPC Catalog: 517 X-Ray Sources in the Small Magellanic Cloud

517 discrete X-ray sources were cataloged in a 6 by 6 degree field covering the Small Magellanic Cloud. The catalog was derived from pointed ROSAT PSPC observations performed between October 1991 and May 1994 and is maintained by NASA HEASARC. For 158 sources, a likely type is given, including 46 candidate background active galactic nuclei.

Use Cases

• Classifying X-ray source types based on hardness ratios and spatial extent mentioned in the description
• Comparing X-ray binary populations and luminosity distributions between galaxies
• Identifying candidate active galactic nuclei and supernova remnants in the Small Magellanic Cloud
• Cross-matching X-ray sources with radio images for multi-wavelength analysis

Strengths

• Contains 517 discrete sources with positional and observational data
• Includes source type classifications for 158 entries, with 46 identified as AGN candidates
• Derived from pointed satellite observations over a nearly 3-year period

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, derived from ADC/CDS Catalog J/A+AS/142/41

Collection Method

Derived from pointed ROSAT PSPC satellite observations

Time Range

October 1991 to May 1994

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:13:23.309118; freshness should be verified

Geography

Small Magellanic Cloud (6 degree by 6 degree field)