The newly discovered Super-giant Fast X-ray Transients (SFXT) IGR J08408-4503 isan interesting member of this class that is expected to rapidly grow. Indeed, itis one of the few sources for which the optical association with an O-typesuper-giant (HD 74194) has been confirmed, making it a perfect target for adetailed X-ray investigation. This source has been recently detected in theX-ray domain by two Swift ToO observations, but these observations were tooshort to allow more than a better determination of the position. Therefore, werequest one observation of IGR J08408-4503 with XMM-Newton, in order to performan in-depth analysis of the spectral properties and of the X-ray variabilitystudy of our target.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-29T09:21:24Z/2007-05-29T22:03:32Z
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, Mr Jean-Christophe Leyder, 2008, 'Probing a new super-giant fast X-ray transient', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ytawa49
