The black hole candidate low mass X-ray binary 4U1755-33 has been in a low statesince Jan 1996. We propose to use XMM to observe this source in its low state tosearch for quiescent emission and study the X-ray spectrum. This observation,for which XMM is ideally suited, will constrain whether the compact object is ablack hole or neutron star, and provide insight into the nature of the accretionflow in the low state.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-03-08T05:13:20Z/2001-03-08T10:30:09Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Nicholas White, 2002, 'The Black Hole Candidate 4U1755-33 in Quiescence', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-itjb6rb
