Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 12-7-2018 1:30 PM Multiwavelength, Machine Learning, and Parallax Studies of X-ray Binaries in Three Local Group Galaxies Robin Arnason The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Barmby, Pauline The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Astronomy A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Robin Arnason 2018 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the External Galaxies Commons Recommended Citation Arnason, Robin, "Multiwavelength, Machine Learning, and Parallax Studies of X-ray Binaries in Three Local Group Galaxies" (2018). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 5931. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5931 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Abstract X-ray binary stars are rare systems consisting of a black hole or neutron star and a main- sequence companion star. They are useful probes of galaxy properties and interesting labora- tories for extreme physical conditions. In this thesis, I investigated the X-ray binary population of three galaxies in the Local Group. The Sculptor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy offers the chance to study a primordial low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) population in an isolated, low-metallicity environment. Combining X- ray, optical, and infrared observations, I have studied nine previously identified and discovered four additional LMXB candidates in this galaxy.