The distribution of X-ray sources in the Galaxy

The longitude distribution of the flux from low latitude X-ray sources, together with their integral number-intensity distribution, are examined to determine their mean luminosity and distribution in the Galaxy. Two forms for the radial distribution were considered exp (-r/r0) and (molecular hydrogen density)sup(n). Both gave reasonable fits to the data from the inner Galaxy, the first with r0 = 1.3 kpe and the second with n = 2.5; such evidence as there is at present favours the latter, i.e. a distribution such as would correspond to young, Population I objects, but the evidence is not yet strong. Data from the outer Galaxy indicate the presence of another, slowly varying population of sources with luminosities lower by at least an order of magnitude. (orig.) 891 HSI/orig. 892 MB