The Geminga pulsar is unique among gamma-ray pulsars in having a precise andcontinuous, phase-connected ephemeris from 1973 up to the present. Since thedemise of the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory in June 2000, the only practicalmethod of maintaining Geminga.s ephemeris is with X-ray observations. Followingthe initial XMM observation of Geminga in April 2002, we propose to make shorteradditional observations approximately once per year until 2006, when GLAST willresume the gamma-ray timing of Geminga. The principal scientific need for aphase-connected ephemeris is to provide an absolute phase reference forground-based observations, in particular, for our own efforts to detect opticalpulsations using a phase-binning CCD camera at Palomar Observatory.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-03-13T14:55:08Z/2004-03-13T22:12:42Z
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 JULES HALPERN, 2005, 'MAINTAINING THE EPHEMERIS OF THE GEMINGA PULSAR UNTIL GLAST', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3qhpu3c
