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An X-ray Investigation of the NGC 346 FieldWe present results from a Chandra observation of the NGC 346 star formation region, which contains numerous massive stars, and is related to N66, the largest H(II) region of the SMC (Small Magellanic Cloud). In this first paper, we will focus on the characteristics of the main objects of the field. The NGC 346 cluster itself shows only relatively faint X-ray emission (with L((sub X)(sup unabs)) is approximately 1.5 x 10(exp 34) erg s(exp -1), tightly correlated with the core of the cluster. In the field also lies HD 5980, a LBV (Luminous Blue Variable) star in a binary (or triple system) that is detected for the first time at X-ray energies. The star is X-ray bright, with an unabsorbed luminosity of L((sub X)(sup unabs)) is approximately 1.7 x 10(exp 34) erg s(exp -1), but needs to be monitored further to investigate its X-ray variability over a complete orbital cycle. The high X-ray luminosity may be associated either with colliding winds in the binary system or with the 1994 eruption. HD 5980 is surrounded by a region of diffuse X-ray emission, which may be a superimposed supernova remnant.
Document ID
20020070663
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Naze, Y. (Liege Univ. Belgium)
Hartwell, J. M. (Birmingham Univ. United Kingdom)
Stevens, I. R. (Birmingham Univ. United Kingdom)
Corcoran, M. F. (Universities Space Research Association Greenbelt, MD United States)
Chu, Y.-H. (Illinois Univ. Urbana, IL United States)
Koenigsberger, G. (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico)
Moffat, A. F. J. (Montreal Univ. Quebec Canada)
Niemela, V. S. (Universidad Nacional de la Plata La Plata Argentina)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Astronomy
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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