Type I X-ray bursts are the result of thermonuclear flashes on the surface ofaccreting neutron stars. The spectral lines which are expected in the X-rayspectra of the bursts will allow for a direct measurement of the gravitationalredshift from the surface of the neutron stars. This provides key information onthe equation of state of neutron star matter, which is one of the holy grails ofphysics. We are therefore proposing 200 ksec observations with XMM-Newton of theX-ray burster GS 1826-238. During this time we expect to observe ten X-raybursts and to accumulate about 40,000 high-spectral resolution burst counts withthe RGS, and roughly 2e6 counts with EPIC-PN for broadband and high-energyspectroscopy.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-04-06T22:15:28Z/2003-04-09T23:39:30Z
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 Walter Lewin, 2004, 'XMM-Newton Observations of Type I X-ray Bursts from GS 1826-238', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-jx8kvlw
