Contribution
A deep study of X-ray binaries in Centaurus A
Presenter: Gregory Sivakoff (University of Virginia)
Abstract: As the nearest early-type galaxy, Centaurus A contains a treasure trove of information about X-ray binaries. With over 700 ks of Chandra observations spread over 10 years, the Centaurus A Very Large Project provides the deepest look at X-ray binaries in an early-type galaxy. Approximately 1000 X-ray sources are detected when the observations are merged, and half are detected individually in at least two observations. Preliminary results have already shed light on the low-mass X-ray binary connection to globular clusters and the discovery of a remarkable transient ultra-luminous X-ray source. We further dip into the trove to present new results on the entire population of sources. These include a comparison of the luminosity functions of XRBs associated with / without globular clusters, preliminary variability results, and follow-up observations on the transient ULX.