We have recently reported the discovery of an Ultra-luminous X-ray source (ULX)with an X-ray luminosity above 10^{41} erg/s. We propose a monitoring campaignof 4 observation (3x20ks and 1x120ks) to better understand the short-term andlong-term variability of the source and provide a high quality spectrum. Thetotal amount of requested time is thus 180 ks.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-01-24T02:37:27Z/2008-01-25T04:09:20Z
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 Giovanni Miniutti, 2009, 'The spectrum and variability of the most luminous ULX detected so far', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-mt68dwq
