X-ray observations of the old open stellar cluster NGC 188

Abstract

I present the analysis results from XMM-Newton observations of the old open stellar cluster NGC 188, which has an age of about 7 Gyr and a near solar metallicity. 58 X-ray sources were detected in the field of view of the EPIC MOS and pn cameras, and 46 sources are new X-ray detections. Visible counterparts were found for 20 sources including the variable star WV 28, the W UMa-type binaries V371 Cep and V372 Cep, and the red giant V11. 9 X-ray sources are identified with probable cluster non-members, while 43 X-ray sources are of unknown membership. X-ray emission was detected from 6 stars with high membership probability above a luminosity threshold of 10 30 erg s -1 . This indicates the presence of very active latetype stars in NGC 188 in spite of its old age. The HR diagram positions of two of these stars just above the main sequence are reminiscent of those for W Ursae Majoris-type contact binaries. Two other sources could be either members of close binary systems or the product of the coalescence of W UMa type binaries into single stars. One X-ray source in NGC 188 is located at the bottom of the red giant branch in an evolutionary status similar to that of an FK Comae-type star. Another X-ray source detected in NGC 188 has the HR diagram position of an M type star. Its X-ray to bolometric luminosity ratio, greater than the canonical 10 -3 saturation level, suggests that the star was flaring during XMM-Newton observations. M stars are most likely the most numerous X-ray sources in NGC 188 at lower X-ray luminosity thresholds.