Globular Clusters (GCs) are known to contain two classes of X-ray sources: Thebright sources which are neutron star Low-mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs) and thedim sources whose nature is still discussed. Some have proposed that they couldbe cataclysmic variables (CVs, DQ Her type), some others that they could beX-ray transients in quiescence (SXTs), or millisecond pulsars (MSPs), or evenunrelated background objects. We propose to observe three GCs with large coresand use the XMM spectral capabilities to determine the nature of their dimX-ray source(s). Characterizing the content of GCs is of considerable interestfor theories of binary production and evolution, as well as dynamical evolutionand survival of the clusters in which they reside.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-09-18T03:22:26Z/2002-02-25T01:09:35Z
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 Didier Barret, 2003, 'XMM OBSERVATIONS OF LARGE CORE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ifkagcv
