| Proposal ID | 030239 |
| Title | Using EPIC to understand the nature of the puzzling compact source in RCW 103 |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0302390101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qm94kww |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Andrea De Luca |
| Abstract | We propose a deep observation of 1E 161348-5055, an enigmatic radio-quietcompact source lying close to the center of the young (~2 kyrs) supernovaremnant RCW 103. At variance with all others Central Compact Objects (CCOs) inSupernova Remnants (SNRs), which behave like isolated neutron stars, it shows aremarkable flux variability, including a possible ~6 hours periodicity. A longand uninterrupted 100 ksec EPIC observation will conclusively address thephenomenology of 1E 161348-5055, proving it to be a truly unique binary systemin a SNR, or some sort of missing link between CCOs and other classes ofradio-quiet neutron stars such as Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and Soft GammaRepeaters. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2005-08-23T07:28:44Z/2005-08-24T07:53:58Z |
| 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 | 2006-09-25T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "binary system", "isolated neutron stars", "compact source", "EPIC", "anomalous xray pulsars", "supernova remnant", "missing link", "soft gamma repeaters", "rcw 103", "flux variability", "1e 161348 5055" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Andrea De Luca, 2006, 'Using EPIC to understand the nature of the puzzling compact source in RCW 103', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qm94kww |