A search for X-ray sources around WR?22 in the Carina region

摘要

We present the results of a deep search for X-ray sources in a circular field of?30′ in diameter situated around WR?22 in the Carina region and observed with the XMM-Newton observatory. This field is broadly located to the west of the main part of the Carina nebula. On the basis of six pointings (nominal exposure time: 10?ks each) centred on the WR+O?binary star?WR?22, we perform a survey with an effective exposure time of 68.8?ks. We introduce a catalogue of 43?bona-fide X-ray point sources, most of which were unknown before the XMM-Newton observations, and perform the first steps towards their identifications by cross-correlating the positions with optical/infrared catalogues. We investigated the possible variability of these sources in the X-ray domain and we extracted a few X-ray spectra for the brightest ones. A?short description of the diffuse X-ray emission present in the region is also given.