Optical Counterpart of The Ultraluminous X-ray Source NGC 1313 X-2

Abstract

We present new optical and {\it Chandra} observations of the field containing the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC1313 X-2. On an ESO 3.6 m image, the {\it Chandra} error box embraces a $R=21.6$ mag stellar-like object and excludes a previously proposed optical counterpart. The resulting X-ray/optical flux ratio of NGC 1313 X-2 is $\sim 500$. The value of $f_X/f_{opt}$, the X-ray variability history and spectral distribution indicate a luminous X-ray binary in NGC 1313 as a likely explanation for NGC 1313 X-2. The inferred optical luminosity ($L\approx 10^5 L_\odot$) is consistent with that of a $\approx 10 M_\odot$ companion.