ROSAT has discovered a small group of X-ray dim isolated neutron stars with welldefined and unique characteristics. The nature of these sources and the originof the soft X-ray emission is not clear. A crucial role in determining theirnature and understanding their physics is played by the magnetic field and itsdecay. The isolated neutron star RBS1223 displays clear evidence of a strongmagnetic field, an X-ray cyclotron absorption line, X-ray pulsations, andpronounced temperature changes as a function of pulse period. We proposedetailed X-ray monitoring observations in order to uniquely determine the spinperiod history between 1997 and 2005, determine the period derivative and thusconfirm the field estimate from X-ray spectroscopy.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-06-25T00:22:04Z/2006-01-10T23:18:07Z
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 Axel Schwope, 2007, 'The spin history of the isolated neutron star RBS1223', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ks5x1bs
