The aim of this proposal is to monitor the unique pulsar/Be-star system PSR 1259-63 at different orbital phases, mainly away from periastron where no data were collected so far at energies >2 keV. The binary orbit coverageand the high sensitivity of XMM will allow us to study in details the time and spectral variability of the X-ray emission with an unprecedented sensitivity. For the first time we will be able to discriminate the emissionfrom the pulsar and the PSR/Be-star wind interaction. The high statistics ofthe collected data will be crucial to test theoretical models and to searchfor pulsed X-rays. Additional information on the Be-star optical emission will be provided by the OM during the observation.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-01-12T15:44:34Z/2003-07-17T14:19:00Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Werner Becker, 2004, 'XMM monitoring of PSR B1259-63 and its Be-star: A unique interacting system', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-un374c5
