XMM-Newton study of X-ray sources in the field of Willman 1 dwarf spheroidal galaxy

Abstract

We present the results of the analysis of three XMM-Newton observations of the Willman 1 dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Wil 1). X-ray sources are classified on the basis of spectral analysis, hardness ratios, X-ray-to-optical flux ratio, X-ray variability, and cross-correlation with available catalogues in optical and infrared wavelengths. We catalogued 97 sources in the field of Wil 1. Our classification shows the presence of a β-type symbiotic star in Wil 1. We classified one M dwarf foreground star in the field of Wil 1. Moreover, 54 sources are classified as background active galactic nuclei and galaxies. Our study shows that the luminosity of the X-ray sources of Wil 1 does not exceed ∼10³⁴ erg s^-1 in the energy range of 0.2-12.0 keV, which is similar to observed luminosities of sources in nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies.