Contributions of late-type dwarf stars to the soft X-ray diffuse background

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169184· OSTI ID:6335292

Schmitt, J H.M.M.; Snowden, S L ^[1]

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1. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching (Germany, F.R.) Wisconsin Univ., Madison (USA)

Comprehensive calculations of the contribution of late-type dwarf stars to the soft X-ray diffuse background are presented. The mean X-ray luminosity as derived from optically and X-ray selected samples is examined, using the Bahcall-Soneira Galaxy model to describe the spatial distribution of stars and recent results on the X-ray spectra. The model calculations are compared with the Wisconsin sky maps in the C, M1, M2, I and J bands to assess the uncertainties of the calculations. Contributions of up to 10 percent to the M2 and I band background at high Galactic latitudes are found, while at low Galactic latitudes late-type stars contribute up to 40 percent of the background. However, a Galactic ridge as well as a relatively isotropic component still remains unexplained, even with the added contribution of the extrapolated high-energy power law. 41 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6335292
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 361; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
DISTRIBUTION
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXIES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MILKY WAY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOFT X RADIATION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECTRA
STARS
X RADIATION
X-RAY SPECTRA