High-mass X-ray binaries in the Magellanic Clouds

Abstract

We present a catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Magellanic Clouds. The catalogue lists source name(s), coordinates, apparent magnitudes, orbital parameters, and X-ray luminosity of 128 high-mass X-ray binaries, together with stellar parameters of the components, other characteristic properties and a comprehensive selection of the relevant literature. The aim of this catalogue is to provide easy access to the basic information on the X-ray sources and their counterparts in other wavelength ranges (UV, optical, IR, radio). Most of the sources are identified to be Be/X-ray binaries. Some sources, however, are only tentatively identified as high-mass X-ray binaries on the basis of a transient character and/or a hard X-ray spectrum. Further identification in other wavelength bands is needed to finally determine the nature of these sources. In cases where there is some doubt about the high-mass nature of the X-ray binary this is mentioned. Literature published before 1 May 2005 has, as far as possible, been taken into account.