We propose to complete our deep homogeneous survey of M31 down to a limitingpoint source luminosity of 10E35 erg/s which will include all active XRBs. M31is a milestone project for X-ray astronomy. Given its proximity it is theultimate target for a detailed X-ray inventory of an archetypallow-star-formation-rate galaxy like our own. We will study M31 XRBs and GCsources, SSSs, SNRs and the hot ISM in contrast to fore- and background objects.The observations will provide high quality spectra and light curves, allowingsource classification and modelling of their SED. The population characteristicsof HMXBs and LMXBs will provide independent constraints on the star formationhistory of M31, the LG in general, as well as constraints on the formation channels of compact objects.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-07-22T12:43:44Z/2007-12-31T20:54:40Z
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.
European Space Agency, Dr Wolfgang Pietsch, 2009, 'The X-ray source population of the Andromeda galaxy M 31', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8qmrz59
