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. It has been proposed that theycould be: cataclysmic variables; X-ray transients in quiescence; or millisecondpulsars, where indeed all these objects have recently been found in the centralregion of the GC 47 Tuc. We propose to continue our investigations of GCs withlarge cores, to include five more GCs, and use the XMM-Newton spectralcapabilities to determine the nature of their dim X-ray sources. Characterizingthe content of GCs is of considerable interest for theories of binary productionand evolution, as well as dynamical evolution and survival of GCs.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-05-25T08:37:50Z/2003-07-06T22:11:50Z
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, 2004, 'Further observations of large core globular clusters with XMM_Newton', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-lepbbc2
