Global Properties of Stellar X-Ray Sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud

X射线卫星发现了一个新的和共同的群体“二进制” 两颗恒星质量都很低（类似太阳）的系统。 其他 它们的性质知之甚少，主要是因为它们在 在距离太阳很远的地方， 星际气体使它们的真实亮度和距离 模棱两可 在以前的工作中，主要研究者（PI） 发现了这些新的x射线源的光学对应物， 已经监测了它们的光输出和径向速度， 更多关于它们的二元特征， 了解它们发射X射线的原因。 本 三年的研究，PI将研究这些对象的样本， 大麦哲伦星云（LMC） 因为这些来源是在一个 它们的属性实际上可以更好地定义 比我们银河系的还要多 这项工作预计将描绘 我们银河系和大麦哲伦星系中x射线源之间的差异， 例如，重金属含量的差异。 PI的 过去的工作导致了第一个黑洞的发现， 食双星（导致直接估计的质量， 黑洞）。 这项工作预计也将澄清存在的 这些奇异的物体。

X-ray satellites have discovered a new and common group "binary" systems in which both stars have low (solar-like) masses. Other properties of them are poorly known largely because they are at great distances from the Sun and in directions where absorption by interstellar gas makes their true brightnesses and hence distances ambiguous. In previous work the Principal Investigator (PI) has discovered the optical counterparts to these new x-ray sources and has monitored their optical output and radial velocities to learn more about their binary characteristics that enable us to understand the reason for their x-ray emission. In the present three year study the PI will study a sample of these objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Because these sources are at a common distance their properties can actually be defined better than those in our own Galaxy. This work is expected to delineate differences between x-ray sources in our Galaxy and the LMC, for example, in terms of differences in heavy metal content. The PI's past work has led to the discovery of the first black-hole in an eclipsing binary (leading to a direct estimate of the mass of the black hole). This work is expected also to clarify the existence of these exotic objects.