We are requesting a single XMM observation (45 ks) to determine whether the 10.6s X-ray pulsar that we recently discovered in the Galactic super star clusterWesterlund 1 is a magnetar. The pulsar is notable because, as a member ofWesterlund 1, we know that the initial mass of the pulsar.s progenitor was atleast 40 Msun. Measuring the B-field strength would reveal the role of magneticfields in allowing 30 Msun stars to lose 95% of their mass and become neutronstars. Westerlund 1 also may harbor 10 more compact objects that would bedetectable with XMM. Discovering these would add significantly to the handful ofobservational limits on the mapping between initial stellar masses and thecompact objects they leave behind.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-09-16T18:36:42Z/2006-09-17T07:55:10Z
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 Michael Muno, 2007, 'A Magnetar and Friends in the Galactic Super Star Cluster Westerlund 1', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-bc7d0eu
