X-ray emission from the Sculptor galaxy NGC 300

Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Gießenbachstraße, 85748 Garching, Germany

Corresponding author: A. M. Read, aread@mpe.mpg.de

Received: 19 February 2001
Accepted: 27 April 2001

Abstract

We report here the results of a full analysis of all the ROSAT PSPC spectral imaging observations and all the ROSAT HRI high resolution imaging observations of the very nearby ( Mpc) Sculptor galaxy, NGC 300. Many point sources are detected within the field, several of them showing evidence for variability, and we present full source lists detailing their X-ray properties, and attempt to classify them on the basis of their temporal, spectral and multi-wavelength characteristics. A black hole X-ray binary candidate, a supersoft source and several supernova remnants and H ii regions are detected in X-rays, as is unresolved, possibly diffuse emission, accounting for perhaps ~20% of the total NGC 300 X-ray (0.1-2.4 keV) luminosity ( erg s^-1). We compare the X-ray source luminosity distribution of NGC 300 with that of other nearby galaxies, and we also compare NGC 300 with its Sculptor neighbours, concluding that it is a quite an unremarkable system, showing no unusual X-ray (or other multi-wavelength) properties. It may be one of the best examples of a completely typical normal quiescent late-type spiral galaxy.