ChaMPlane: Measuring the Faint X-ray Binary and Stellar Content of the Galaxy

Harvard University, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

" ChaMPlane: Measuring the Faint X-ray binary and Stellar Content of the Galaxy" AST- 0098683 This is a deep optical follow-up to the Chandra Multi-wavelength Plane survey made by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The primary objective is to measure stars and black holes in binary stars within the Galaxy. The survey is about 100 times more sensitive than ROSAT and will enable complete samples to be measured over 5-10 Kpc galactic scales. This survey has been granted archival status by Chandra and Long Term Survey status by the National Optical Astronomy Observatories. Deep wide-field images will be obtained with the MOSAIC camera at CTIO and KPNO over the next 5 years in R, H-alpha, V, and I bands for the purpose of source identification. There will be approximately 100 deep Chandra fields available for analysis.