A dataset provided by the European Space Agency

Proposal ID 020535
Title SEARCHING FOR PROTON CYCLOTRON FEATURES IN THE MAGNETAR CANDIDATE SGR 1806-20
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https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0205350101

DOI https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ry3i5fx
Principal Investigator, PI Dr SANDRO MEREGHETTI
Abstract Soft gamma-ray repeaters are believed to contain magnetars: young neutron starswith extremely high magnetic fields (10^14-10^15 G), which shine as persistentand, occasionally, bursting sources of high-energy radiation by virtue of therelease of magnetic energy. For these magnetic fields strengths, protoncyclotron features are expected to lie in the X-ray band. Recently, anabsorption feature at 5 keV has been seen in several bursts from SGR 1806-20with RXTE. We propose here to search for proton cyclotron features in itsquiescent X-ray spectrum, by exploiting the unique characteristics of EPIC.Thisprogram was granted 50 ks in AO2. The observation was performed during a periodof very high background, resulting in a useful exposure of only 5 ks, which is not sufficient for our purpose.
Publications
Instrument EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage 2004-09-06T09:02:50Z/2004-09-06T23:28:02Z
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.
Creator Contact https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk
Date Published 2005-10-07T00:00:00Z
Keywords "magnetic fields strengths", "proton cyclotron", "neutron stars", "quiescent xray spectrum", "EPIC", "magnetic fields", "useful exposure", "xray band", "energy radiation", "magnetic energy", "sgr 1806", "bursting sources"
Publisher And Registrant European Space Agency
Credit Guidelines European Space Agency, Dr SANDRO MEREGHETTI, 2005, 'SEARCHING FOR PROTON CYCLOTRON FEATURES IN THE MAGNETAR CANDIDATE SGR 1806-20', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ry3i5fx