| Proposal ID | 050386 |
| Title | XMM Monitoring of the Evolving AXP 4U 0142+61 |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0503860101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zfmheju |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Prof Victoria Kaspi |
| Abstract | 4U 0142+61 is a 8.7-s anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) which, in data from ourRXTE monitoring program, recently showed pulsations that were slowly butsteadily getting brighter (24% increase in 6 yr), in concert with a slowevolution of its soft X-ray pulse profile. Such behavior is unprecedented for anAXP and challenges the current magnetar model. We request XMM observations ofthe source in Cycle 6 in order to monitor its phase-averaged flux and itsspectrum, to try to shed light on the physical origin of this surprisingbehavior, as well as to better characterize recent and apparently ongoingbursting activity in the source. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2008-01-27T16:45:13Z/2008-03-07T03:49:40Z |
| 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 | 2009-04-03T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "4u 0142", "bursting activity", "phase averaged flux", "slow evolution", "anomalous xray pulsar", "magnetar model", "steadily getting brighter", "shed light", "XMM", "physical origin" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Prof Victoria Kaspi, 2009, 'XMM Monitoring of the Evolving AXP 4U 0142+61', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zfmheju |