Spectral state transitions are a key signature of black hole binaries (BHBs) andreflect the properties of the accretion flow and the central compact object.They have been systematically studied in Galactic BHBs and found to followwell-defined patterns. Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are eitherintermediate-mass black holes or a special class of stellar-mass black holes,and should follow a set pattern of spectral evolution which is essentiallyassociated with their natures. We propose 6 XMM observations of the Antennaegalaxies (NGC 4038/4039) with an exposure of 20 ksec each and at intervals ofweeks to months to see if state transitions of ULXs have the same, or different,pattern as Galactic BHBs.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-06-09T08:12:37Z/2007-12-27T04:30:33Z
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, Dr Hua Feng, 2009, 'Monitoring of Ultraluminous X-ray sources in the Antennae Galaxies', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-wyug14j
