Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) are an exotic population of pulsating X-raysources, which are now thought to be highly magnetized neutron stars(magnetars). However, the evolution, demography, and relation of magnetars toother types of neutron star are all not yet understood. We have identified a newcandidate association between an AXP and a young supernova remnant (SNR), forwhich we propose XMM and Chandra observations. These data can confirm our AXPand SNR identifications, and can thus help constrain the origin, evolution andphysical properties of the magnetar population.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-08-21T16:41:42Z/2006-08-22T05:50:39Z
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 Bryan Gaensler, 2007, 'A New Magnetar in a Young Supernova Remnant', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-y9h7uz7
