We propose a deep homogeneous survey of M31 down to a limiting point sourceluminosity of 10E35 erg/s which will include all active XRBs. M31 is a milestoneproject for X-ray astronomy. Given its proximity it is the ultimate target for adetailed X-ray inventory of an archetypal low-star-formation-rate galaxy likeour own. We will study M31 XRBs and GC sources, SSSs, SNRs and the hot ISM incontrast to fore- and background objects. The observations will provide highquality spectra and light curves, allowing source classification through PDS andmodelling of their SED. The population characteristics of HMXBs and LMXBs willprovide independent constraints on the star formation history of M31, the LG ingeneral, as well as constraints on the formation channels of compact objects.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-06-28T07:02:51Z/2007-01-06T12:45:30Z
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 Wolfgang Pietsch, 2008, 'The X-ray source population of the Andromeda galaxy M 31', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qs4q5h1
