Abstract
During a search for X-ray emission from Supernova 1979c, the parent galaxy M100 (NGC 4321) was repeatedly observed with the IPC and HRI instruments aboard the Einstein X-ray Observatory. The X-ray data reveal two possible sources in the arms of the spiral galaxy, two components in the nuclear bulge and extended X-ray emission from the central part of the galaxy (160x160 square arc seconds centered on the nucleus). We find that the estended X-ray emission cannot be explained in terms of inverse Compton effect on radio, optical or 3 K blackbody photons but rather it is likely to originate from supernova remnants (M100 is indeed a prolific supernova producer) and/or early type stars. As for M100 as a whole, the ratio of X-ray to optical liminosity places it half way between “normal galaxies” e.g. M31 or M33 and peculiar or active galaxies.
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Palumbo, G.G.C., Maccacaro, T., Panagia, N. et al. A study of M100 in X-rays. Space Sci Rev 30, 143–147 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01246014
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01246014