XMM-Newton observations of variability in the X-ray binaries of M31: flares dips and a burst

Abstract

The XMM-Newton satellite has made four observations of the core of M31 as part of a survey that will span the entire galaxy. The majority of the X-ray emission is contributed by point sources, chiefly X-ray Binaries (XB). Exciting early results from a survey of time variability in three XMM exposures of the M31 core reveal XB exhibiting Sco X-1 like flaring, dips and a burst. The flaring source in M31 also exhibits variability in intensity and spectral hardness that is characteristic of a Z-source.

4 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Proc. Symposium ' New Visions of the X-ray Universe in the XMM-Newton and Chandra Era' ESA SP-488 August 2002