PSR J1638-4725 is in a highly eccentric binary system with a 5-yr orbital periodabout a massive companion. The pulsar is undetectable in the radio for roughly 1yr around periastron, most likely due to absorption and scattering by the densestellar environment. During this radio-quiet phase, X-rays produced by propellerregime accretion of matter onto the neutron star magnetosphere are likely to bedetectable. If such emission is detected, this binary will be the first systemin which an accretion phase alternates with a radio pulsar phase. Observationsof the X-ray emission close to periastron will provide an important diagnosticof the properties of the companion star and its wind. Such an opportunity willnot be available for another 5 years.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-08-19T06:18:09Z/2005-08-20T09:56:27Z
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 Maura McLaughlin, 2006, 'The Eclipsing Binary Pulsar J1638-4725', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-vlqau4p
