Browsing: Ultraluminous X-ray

Ultraluminous X-rays (ULXs) are sources of X-ray emissions that are far brighter than typical stellar X-ray sources but not as powerful as those generated by supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei. These mysterious cosmic objects, found in nearby galaxies, emit X-rays at luminosities that exceed the Eddington limit—the theoretical maximum luminosity at which radiation pressure balances the gravitational pull of a celestial object. ULXs are often thought to be associated with compact objects, like neutron stars or black holes, accreting material at an unusually high rate. Studying ULXs helps scientists explore the limits of extreme astrophysical processes and accretion dynamics.