HEAO A-2 survey of Abell clusters and the x-ray luminosity function

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/158518· OSTI ID:6440672

McKee, J D; Mushotzky, R F; Boldt, E A; Holt, S S; Marshall, F W; Pravdo, S H; Serlemitsos, P J

We have examined the HEAO A-2/sup 3/ all-sky data base for 2-10 keV X-ray emission from the 225 Abell clusters of galaxies listed in Abell's (1958) catalog which are of distance class 4 or less, and are within the fraction of the sky surveyed completely by Abell. Thirty-two identifications of clusters with X-ray sources were made, for which we present 2-10 keV fluxes and 90% error boxes; 12 of these identifications are new. We have derived the X-ray luminosity function for this statistically complete sample, and have found the best exponential fit (between 0.5 x 10/sup 44/ ergs s/sup -1/ and 10/sup 45/ ergs/sup -1/) to be f(L) = 20.2 x 10/sup -8/ exp (-L/sub 44//1.9) per Mpc/sup 3/ per 10/sup 44/ ergs s/sup -1/ per 2-10 keV. The relationship between X-ray luminosity and richness has also been examined, and a correlation has been found for richness classes 0, 1, and 2. We have also looked at the relationship of X-ray luminosity, Bautz-Moran type, and Rood-Sastry type and have been found that BM type I's and RS type cD and B have the greatest average luminosity. The contribution of clusters to the X-ray background has been calculated from the luminosity function and has been found to be 3%, and with 90% certainty less than 8% in the 2-10 keV band pass.

• Research Organization: Laboratory of High Energy Astrophysics NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
• OSTI ID: 6440672
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 242:3; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
X RADIATION
X-RAY GALAXIES
X-RAY SPECTRA