GX 339-4 is an unusual galactic black hole candidate extremely variable in boththe optical and X-ray bands during its low-hard state. Only a very short simul-taneous optical-X-ray study has been performed, which suggested that the opticalvariations are strongly coupled with X-ray variations. We propose to perform acomprehensive simultaneous optical-X-ray rapid variability study with EPIC-PNand the OM. We will also use EPIC-MOS and RGS to study the weak soft componentand the 6.4 keV iron line detected in this state. We expect to detect edges andpossibly other emission lines in the RGS energy range. With these observations,we hope to make significant progress in the understanding of the coupled inflow- outflow system around a persistently accreting stellar mass black hole.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-02-26T02:44:22Z/2001-02-26T08:31:13Z
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, Mr Stephane CORBEL, 2002, 'Simultaneous X-ray and optical timing observations of GX 339-4', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-c7w2p72
