Correlation of the cosmic x-ray background with the light of galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157713· OSTI ID:5450509

Turner, E L; Geller, M J

Models for the origin of the cosmic X-ray background (CXB) radiation attribute it to numerous weak, unresolved discrete sources (e.g., active galactic nuclei), to some diffuse emission mechanism (e.g., thermal bremmstrahlung from a hot intergalactic plasma), or to an unresolved population of discrete sources which evolve substantially with redshift (e.g., quasars). We show that comparison of the CXB flux variations in the light from galaxies can measure the relative contribution of these possible sources of the CXB. Applying the technique to available Uhuru data, we find that the absence of correlation between the optical flux variations and the X-ray flux variations sets an upper limit of approx.50% on the fraction of the CXB originating with any classes of X-ray sources substantially represented among bright (m/sub pg/< or =15.5) galaxies. The data are consistent with nearly all of the CXB being due to diffuse emission or to a class of sources whose density increases rapidly with redshift.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
• OSTI ID: 5450509
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 236:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
640105 -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC PHOTONS
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RAY FLUX
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERGALACTIC SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
PHOTONS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
SPACE
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION