We have made a tentative discovery of pulsations from an X-ray source at thecenter of the Galactic supernova remnant Kes 79. A pointed ROSAT PSPCobservation indicates a coherent period with marginal significance, limited onlyby counting statistics. We propose an EPIC-pn observation to confirm thisdetection and to obtain a second epoch pulse measurement to determine itsspin-down rate. This will allow critical pulsar parameters to be estimated. Ifthe ROSAT period is not confirmed, the request 2 X 21 ks exposures, separated bya week, are sufficient to search independently for the pulsar period and itsderivative. Identifying a pulsar at the center of Kes 79 and characterizing itsunusual properties have important consequences for neutron star evolution.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-10-18T00:02:56Z/2004-10-24T08:24:28Z
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 FREDERICK SEWARD, 2005, 'A MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT THE CENTER OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANTS KES 79', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-atl9rw6
