Soft X-ray Transients, SXRTs, hosting fast spinning weakly magnetic neutron stars usually show months-long outbursts which recur over 1-20 yr intervals. We propose to survey a sample of 7 well positioned SXRTs in order to accurately characterize their quiescent emission properties, determine temperatures and radii of the soft X-ray component as well as the presence and slope of the hard X-ray tail. The large throughput and spatial and spectral resolution of XMM-Newton is ideally suited for these goals. This study will also probe the luminosity function of quiescent SXRTs over a larger sample and provide new information on the physical regime (accretion, propeller, radio pulsar) that applies the neutron stars in these systems. We ask for a total of 85.3 ks.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-03-09T14:56:24Z/2003-09-12T16:53:50Z
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 Sergio Campana, 2005, 'An XMM-Newton survey of neutron star transients in quiescence', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-06dvbwb
