Related papers: Stellar Mass Black Hole Binaries as ULXs
Hyper-luminous X-ray sources (HLXs; L_X>10^41 erg s^-1) are off-nuclear X-ray sources in galaxies and strong candidates for intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs). We have constructed a sample of 169 HLX candidates by combining X-ray…
There have been several recent claims of black hole binaries in globular clusters. I show that these candidate systems could instead be ultracompact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) in which a neutron star accretes from a white dwarf. They would…
All stellar mass black holes have hitherto been identified by X-rays emitted by gas that is accreting onto the black hole from a companion star. These systems are all binaries with black holes below 30 M$_{\odot}$$^{1-4}$. Theory predicts,…
The number of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources (ULXs) is observed to be correlated with the current star formation rate in late-type galaxies and with the stellar mass in early-type galaxies (ETGs). Since there is very little gas, dust or star…
Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are X-ray binary systems containing an accreting neutron star (NS) or black hole emitting at luminosities above the Eddington limit of a $10M_{\odot}$ black hole. Approximately 1900 (either confirmed or…
Here we present the results of panoramic and long-slit observations of eight ULX nebular counterparts held with the 6m SAO telescope. In two ULXNe we detected for the first time signatures of high excitation ([OIII]5007 / H\beta > 5). Two…
Ultra-luminous X-Ray Objects are off-nucleus point sources with $L_X=10^{39}$-$10^{41}$ erg/s but the nature of such systems are largely unidentified. Here we report a 2.1 hour period observed in a Chandra ACIS observation for ULX M51 X-7,…
We describe a method for the determination of black-hole masses based on information inferred from high-energy spectra. It is required that the spectral energy distribution consist of thermal and Comptonized components. One can then, in…
Maps of low-inclination nearby galaxies in Sloan Digitized Sky Survey u-g, g-r and r-i colors are used to determine whether Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are predominantly associated with star-forming regions of their host galaxies. An…
For a long time, the well-known supercritically accreting binary SS433 is being proposed as a prototype for a class of hypothetical bright X-ray sources that may be identified with the so-called Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in nearby…
The nature of the ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULX) is still to be understood. Several hypotheses have been suggested to explain the high X-ray luminosity: stellar mass black holes with emission collimated by relativistic effects or…
This paper reviews some of the recent observational results on stellar mass black hole candidates. Over the last decade, much of the progress in this field has been achieved through the study of transient X--ray binary sources which shine…
We show that a common evolutionary history can produce the black hole binaries in the Galaxy in which the black holes have masses of ~ 5-10 M_sun. In with low-mass, <~ 2.5 M_sun, ZAMS (zero age main sequence) companions, the latter remain…
Ultraluminous X-Ray Objects are off-nucleus point sources with $L_X=10^{39}$-$10^{41}$ erg/s and are among the most poorly understood X-ray sources. To help understand their nature, we are trying to identify their optical counterparts by…
Since their discovery, Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) have attracted attention due to their combination of extreme luminosities and extra-nuclear locations. However, they are a fairly rare phenomenon, and attempts to investigate the…
Ultraluminous x-ray sources (ULXs) in nearby galaxies shine brighter than any X-ray source in our Galaxy. ULXs are usually modeled as stellar-mass black holes (BHs) accreting at very high rates or intermediate-mass BHs. We present…
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) of long duration probably result from the core-collapse of massive stars in binary systems. After the collapse of the primary star the binary system may remain bound leaving a microquasar or ULX source as remnant. In…
Dynamical mass measurements hold the key to answering whether ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) or stellar mass black holes with special radiation mechanisms. NGC 1313 X-2 is so far the only ULX…
We study the origin of the ultraluminous X-ray source M82-X1 in the nearby starburst galaxy M82. This X-ray source is of particular interest as it is currently the best candidate intermediate mass black hole; it is associated with a 54mHz…
We study theoretically the formation of black-hole (BH) X-ray binaries. Consistency of the models with the observed relative numbers of systems with low-mass (<2 M_sun) and intermediate-mass (~2 M_sun - M_{BH}) donors leads to severe…