A dataset provided by the European Space Agency

Proposal ID 040486
Title XMM Monitoring of the Evolving AXP 4U 0142+61
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https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0404860301
https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0404860501

DOI https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-q30d7hi
Principal Investigator, PI Prof Victoria Kaspi
Abstract 4U 0142+61 is a 8.7-s anomalous X-ray pulsar which, in data from our RXTEmonitoring program, shows pulsations that are slowly but steadily gettingbrighter. Since 2000, the pulses have brightened by approximately 50%. Inconcert with the brightening, the pulse profile is clearly evolving on acomparable time scale. This behavior is unprecedented for an AXP and challengesthe current magnetar model. We request two XMM observations of the source inCycle 5 in order to monitor its phase-averaged flux and its spectrum, to try toshed light on the physical origin of this behavior.
Publications
Instrument EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage 2006-07-28T17:45:03Z/2007-01-13T21:46:00Z
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.
Creator Contact https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk
Date Published 2008-02-29T00:00:00Z
Keywords "pulse profile", "anomalous xray pulsar", "phase averaged flux", "physical origin", "XMM", "steadily getting brighter", "shed light", "comparable time scale", "magnetar model", "4u 0142"
Publisher And Registrant European Space Agency
Credit Guidelines European Space Agency, Prof Victoria Kaspi, 2008, 'XMM Monitoring of the Evolving AXP 4U 0142+61', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-q30d7hi