[SSW99] X4 , the SIMBAD biblio

We investigate the X-ray emission from the central regions of the prototypical starburst galaxy M82. Previous observations have shown a bright central X-ray point source, with suggestions as to its nature including a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus or an X-ray binary. A new analysis of ROSAT HRI observations finds four X-ray point sources in the central kiloparsec of M82, and we identify radio counterparts for the two brightest X-ray sources. The counterparts are probably young radio supernovae (SNe) and are amongst the most luminous and youthful SNe in M82. We therefore suggest that we are seeing X-ray emission from young SNe in M82, and in particular that the brightest X-ray source is associated with the radio source 41.95+57.5. We discuss the implications of these observations for the evolution of X-ray-luminous SNe.