Pulsar inner gaps are believed to be engines that power the pulsar radioemission, but the properties of the inner gaps are still subject to theoreticaldebate. In order to test the available theories, X-ray observations of subpulsedrifting radio pulsars are desirable. We propose a 55 ks exposure of PSR 0834+06to detect the thermal X-ray emission due to the polar cap heating. Oursimulations suggest that the number of counts collected for the EPIC spectra issufficient to confirm or refute the partially screened inner gap model. Thiswould have a pronounced meaning for understanding the pulsar physics.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-11-17T13:21:48Z/2007-11-18T09:20:26Z
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 Janusz Gil, 2008, 'XMM-Newton Observation of PSR B0834+06: A Test of Pulsar Inner Gap Models', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ugcpr11
