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Title: Low-mass X-ray binaries and globular clusters streamers and arcs in NGC 4278

Abstract

We report significant inhomogeneities in the projected two-dimensional spatial distributions of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and globular clusters (GCs) of the intermediate mass elliptical galaxy NGC 4278. In the inner region of NGC 4278, a significant arc-like excess of LMXBs extending south of the center at ∼50'' in the western side of the galaxy can be associated with a similar overdensity of the spatial distribution of red GCs from Brassington et al. Using a recent catalog of GCs produced by Usher et al. and covering the whole field of the NGC 4278 galaxy, we have discovered two other significant density structures outside the D {sub 25} isophote to the W and E of the center of NGC 4278, associated with an overdensity and an underdensity, respectively. We discuss the nature of these structures in the context of the similar spatial inhomogeneities discovered in the LMXBs and GCs populations of NGC 4649 and NGC 4261, respectively. These features suggest streamers from disrupted and accreted dwarf companions.

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
  2. Center for Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus, Hatfield, Hertordshire, AL10 9AB (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22351382
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Astrophysical Journal
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 783; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
79 ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY; BINARY STARS; CATALOGS; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES; DENSITY; EVOLUTION; GALAXIES; MASS; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION; STAR CLUSTERS; X RADIATION

Citation Formats

D'Abrusco, R., Fabbiano, G., and Brassington, N. J. Low-mass X-ray binaries and globular clusters streamers and arcs in NGC 4278. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/783/1/19.
D'Abrusco, R., Fabbiano, G., & Brassington, N. J. Low-mass X-ray binaries and globular clusters streamers and arcs in NGC 4278. United States. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/783/1/19
D'Abrusco, R., Fabbiano, G., and Brassington, N. J. 2014. "Low-mass X-ray binaries and globular clusters streamers and arcs in NGC 4278". United States. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/783/1/19.
@article{osti_22351382,
title = {Low-mass X-ray binaries and globular clusters streamers and arcs in NGC 4278},
author = {D'Abrusco, R. and Fabbiano, G. and Brassington, N. J.},
abstractNote = {We report significant inhomogeneities in the projected two-dimensional spatial distributions of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and globular clusters (GCs) of the intermediate mass elliptical galaxy NGC 4278. In the inner region of NGC 4278, a significant arc-like excess of LMXBs extending south of the center at ∼50'' in the western side of the galaxy can be associated with a similar overdensity of the spatial distribution of red GCs from Brassington et al. Using a recent catalog of GCs produced by Usher et al. and covering the whole field of the NGC 4278 galaxy, we have discovered two other significant density structures outside the D {sub 25} isophote to the W and E of the center of NGC 4278, associated with an overdensity and an underdensity, respectively. We discuss the nature of these structures in the context of the similar spatial inhomogeneities discovered in the LMXBs and GCs populations of NGC 4649 and NGC 4261, respectively. These features suggest streamers from disrupted and accreted dwarf companions.},
doi = {10.1088/0004-637X/783/1/19},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22351382}, journal = {Astrophysical Journal},
issn = {0004-637X},
number = 1,
volume = 783,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}