In the virgul30 years of satellite observations at least five black holeX-ray transients have been seen to undergo recurrent outbursts. Thetypical timescale is probably between 10-50 years, although one systemshows periodic outbursts every 1.6 years. We wish to study an outburst fromany known BHC transient using simultaneous XMM and BeppoSAX observations.The high sensitivity of XMM, combined with the broadband coverageof BeppoSAX will allow the complex ultra-soft (at low energies), ultra-hard (at high energies) spectra of the majority of these systems to be simultaneously studied with unprecendented precision.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-08-18T12:48:09Z/2005-03-27T14:56:14Z
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 Arvind Parmar, 2007, 'Known Black Hole Transients in Outburst', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-fm432wk
