|
“Extragalactic Low-Mass X-ray Binaries: Beacons For Compact Objects in Old Stellar Populations” Dr. Jimmy Irwin University of Michigan |
| For decades X-ray binaries have taught us a great deal about accretion processes onto compact objects. But with the launch of Chandra and XMM-Newton, X-ray binaries can now play an important role in understanding a wide variety of topics, such as massive star formation and evolution, star cluster dynamics, and the possible existence of intermediate-mass black holes just to name a few. The ability to detect and resolve large numbers of individual X-ray binaries in nearby galaxies has removed the constraints set by the limited number of X-ray binaries in our own Galaxy. In this talk, I will discuss the many applications of X-ray binaries in nearby galaxies, with particular emphasis on the spatial, temporal, and environmental tendencies of low-mass X-ray binaries in elliptical and S0 galaxies. |