GT- We propose to observe the thermally emitting neutron star Geminga, phaseresolving the spectrum with the MOS and PN camera.s, and obtaining ahigh-resolution integrated spectrum of the photospheric emission with the RGS.This observation will address a number of important issues, such as the ratio ofthermal- to non-thermal luminosities, their phasing; composition of and physicalconditions in the neutron star photosphere, and possibly the surface magneticfield strength and distribution.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-04-04T16:40:19Z/2002-04-05T21:22:09Z
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 Albert Brinkman, 2003, 'Phase-dependent X-ray Spectroscopy and Photometry of Geminga', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-trd41bj
