The nearest thermally emitting neutron stars may be the best sample to measurethe true demographics of neutron stars, and arguably offer the best prospectsfor measuring neutron star radii through thermal emission. But these tasks arecomplicated by our lack of knowledge about their magnetic field strengths andages. Recently, we have determined these for two objects using dedicated X-raytiming observations: by measuring spin-down and assuming a dipole field, we findmagnetic fields between normal pulsars and magnetars. We propose to completethis sample with timing observations of the three remaining objects in thisclass that show periodicities: RX J0420.0-5022, RX J0806.4-4123, and RXJ2143.0+0654.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-13T16:27:08Z/2008-05-19T06:27:05Z
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 David Kaplan, 2009, 'Measuring the Spin-downs of Three Nearby Isolated Neutron Stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-xpfteuw
