X-raying the galaxy pair Arp 41: no collision in NGC1232 and three ultraluminous sources in NGC1232A

We studied the apparent galaxy pair NGC1232/NGC1232A with Chandra, looking for evidence of interactions and collisions. We report that there is no cloud of diffuse emission in NGC1232, contrary to previous claims in the literature. Instead, we find that the small 'companion' galaxy NGC1232A contains three ultraluminous X-ray sources with peak 0.3-10 keV luminosities above 10(40) erg s(-1) (assuming a cosmological distance of approximate to 93 Mpc for this galaxy). For its mass, morphology, metal abundance, and bright ULX population, NGC1232A is analogous to the more nearby late-type spiral NGC1313.A

Automated summary

The study of the galaxy pair NGC1232/NGC1232A with Chandra revealed that there is no diffuse emission cloud in NGC1232, but instead, the small 'companion' galaxy NGC1232A contains three ultraluminous X-ray sources. NGC1232A is similar to the nearby late-type spiral galaxy NGC1313A in terms of mass, morphology, metal abundance, and bright ULX population.