Ward Martin
X-ray and Observational Astronomy Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci. 2002 Sep 15;360(1798):1991-2003. doi: 10.1098/rsta.2002.1049.
For studies of discrete X-ray source populations in nearby galaxies, high spatial resolution is a key to making progress. Now, for the first time, using the Chandra X-ray observatory, we are able to study these source populations in detail for galaxies beyond M31 and our local group galaxies. Analysis of accretion-driven and supernova-related discrete sources provides a new perspective on the evolution of galactic stellar populations, as well as giving insights into the physical mechanisms operating in individual cases. A particularly intriguing area, which we are only just beginning to address, is the nature of the most X-ray-luminous sources that are being discovered in many spiral and star-forming galaxies.
对于研究邻近星系中离散X射线源群体而言，高空间分辨率是取得进展的关键。现在，我们首次利用钱德拉X射线天文台，得以详细研究M31以外星系以及本星系群星系中的这些源群体。对吸积驱动源和与超新星相关的离散源的分析，为星系恒星群体的演化提供了新视角，同时也让我们深入了解了个别情况下的物理机制。一个特别引人入胜的领域，我们才刚刚开始涉足，就是在许多螺旋星系和恒星形成星系中发现的X射线最亮源的本质。
