Host galaxy properties of quasi-periodically erupting X-ray sources

Understand

Quasi-periodic X-ray eruptions (QPEs) are a recently discovered phenomenon, the nature of which remains unclear.

• Based on their discovery in active galactic nuclei (AGN), explanations related to an AGN accretion disk, or potentially stellar tidal disruption event (TDE), were put forward.
• Following the report of QPEs in apparently passive galaxies, alternatives including highly unequal mass compact object binaries have been proposed to explain their properties.
• We perform a systematic study of the five known QPE host galaxies with the aim of providing new insights into their nature.