The ROSAT source RX J0630.8-2834 was found to be a possible X-ray counterpart ofthe old field pulsar PSR 0628-28. However, its corresponding X-ray luminosity,more than 380 times higher than what is expected from the pulsar, put severedoubts on the association. A recent Chandra observation, however, yielded theexact position of RX J0630.8-2834, which matches the radio pulsar positionwithin 1.5! Furthermore, optical observations of the Chandra error box did notdetect any counterpart brighter than mag_B=25. The observational evidence thusstrongly suggests that PSR B0628-28 indeed is the first overluminos rotationpowered X-ray pulsar detected. We propose to observe this unique pulsar in orderto establish the association and to explore its X-ray emission mechanisms in detail.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-02-28T02:19:26Z/2004-02-28T15:51:17Z
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 WERNER BECKER, 2005, 'EXPLORING THE OVERLUMINOUS X-RAY EMISSION FROM PSR B0628-28', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8n3s8ok
