The properties of the inner gaps have been subject to theoretical debate. X-rayobservations of the sub-pulse drifting pulsars open a door to greatly constrainthe properties of the inner gaps from the data. A previous XMM observation ofPSR B0943+10 by the PI has provided strong evidence of the existence of apartially screened inner gap in this pulsar. In order to definitely test thetheory, an observation of another sub-pulse drifting radio pulsar with highersignificance is desirable. PSR B0826-34 is an ideal target to achieve this goal.We propose a 50 ks exposure of this pulsar to detect the X-ray emission due topolar cap heating and to differentiate a thermal spectrum from a power law one.This has profound implications for the understanding of pulsar inner gaps.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-11-13T17:33:40Z/2006-11-14T09:00:33Z
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, Prof Bing Zhang, 2008, 'XMM-Newton Observation of PSR B0826-34: A Test of Pulsar Inner Gap Models', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-toh1xi3
