We are making accelerated progress in determining the nature of the persistent,high-energy gamma-ray sources in the Galaxy. Using the growing collection ofX-ray images of EGRET error boxes obtained by ROSAT, ASCA, and Chandra, severalyoung pulsars and pulsar candidates have been found that are very likelythe correct identifications of their coincident gamma-ray sources. The highthroughput of XMM is required to detect pulsations from the weak, hard X-raysources that we have selected as the best pulsar candidates in well-studiedfields. In preparation for GLAST, we could add significantly to the populationof young, energetic gamma-ray pulsars, and study their systematic trends ofradiative efficiency and spectrum with spin-down power and other parameters.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-09-21T23:43:07Z/2002-09-22T04:10:27Z
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, Prof Jules Halpern, 2003, 'A Search for Pulsars in EGRET Source Error Boxes', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-9l7bqy9
