We propose to continue our XMM-Newton program to search for X-ray pulsationsfrom hard X-ray INTEGRAL (IGR) sources. Over the past few years, INTEGRAL hasfound a surprising number of High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), and the largenumber of new supergiant HMXBs is providing information that is important to ourunderstanding of HMXB evolution. As many of the IGR HMXBs have extremeproperties such as high column densities and rapid X-ray flares, we are still inthe process of understanding where they fit in relative to previously knownHMXBs. Detection of pulsations is important for establishing the presence of aneutron star, determining the distribution of spin periods, and for providing anopportunity to determine binary parameters, including the neutron star mass.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-02-09T20:44:05Z/2008-02-10T05:00:18Z
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 John Tomsick, 2009, 'A Search for Pulsations from INTEGRAL HMXBs', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-djoell8
