Anomalous X-ray pulsars are a small group of pulsars whose properties (periods, soft X-ray spectra, no evidence for a binary nature) are differentfrom normal X-ray pulsars. Similarities with soft gamma repeaters suggest thatthey are isolated neutron stars with an extremely high (10 ^{14-15} G) magneticfield (magnetars). The source 1RXS J170849.0--400910 shows clear spectralvariations as a function of pulse phase. We propose a 50 ks XMM-Newtonobservation which will enable us to put contraints on the emission geometry ofthis source by studying the phase-dependent variations in detail. This willlikely place significant constraints on any, and especially the magnetar, model.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-08-28T21:44:30Z/2003-08-29T10:13:43Z
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 Tim Oosterbroek, 2004, 'Study of the pulse-phase dependent spectrum of the AXP 1RXS J170849.0-400910', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-v3bwayg
