ROSAT PSPC M 31 Source Catalog: 560 X-ray Sources in Andromeda Galaxy

M 31 (Andromeda Galaxy) observations from two ROSAT PSPC X-ray surveys in 1991 and 1992. The catalog contains 560 individual X-ray sources, with fluxes ranging from 7e-15 to 7.6e-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1. NASA HEASARC created this online catalog in October 2001 based on tables from the ADC/CDS data centers.

Use Cases

• Identify and classify X-ray sources in M 31 based on flux and tentative identifications with stars, globular clusters, and supernova remnants.
• Analyze source variability by comparing the two surveys to study 34 long-term variable sources and 8 transient candidates.
• Model diffuse X-ray emission in the galactic bulge and disk based on reported luminosity and estimated gas mass.
• Compare X-ray source populations with earlier Einstein survey results to identify 491 new detections.

Strengths

• Contains 560 distinct X-ray sources from two combined surveys, providing a substantial catalog for M 31.
• Includes specific flux and luminosity ranges (e.g., 4e35 to 4e38 erg s^-1 for M 31 sources) and a total luminosity for the galaxy.
• Provides cross-survey analysis, identifying common sources, new detections, and variable candidates.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The conversion factor for fluxes depends on assumed spectral models and may overestimate values for foreground stars.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA HEASARC), based on tables from ADC/CDS data centers (catalog J/A+A/373/63).

Collection Method

Analysis of two ROSAT PSPC X-ray surveys of M 31 performed in the summers of 1991 and 1992.

Time Range

Observations from 1991 and 1992.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:26:18.996706; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Field of view centered on the M 31 (Andromeda Galaxy) region, covering approximately 10.7 square degrees.