We propose to continue our Chandra and XMM-Newton monitoring campaign of the 1.2square degree region centered on Sgr A*. We will be able to detect very fainttransients with a peak luminosity of 1E33-1E35 ergs/s, 10-1000 times moresensitive than would be possible with other satellites. This allows us toobserve a poorly studied group of transients and to follow the luminositybehavior of faint (1E34-1E36 ergs/s) persistent sources. The Chandraobservations are necessary to facilitate rapid follow-up observations of thedetected transients at IR and radio wavelengths; the XMM-Newton observations areneeded to increase the likelihood of detecting transients in outburst and toobtain better constraints on the long-term time averaged accretion rates of the transients present in the FOV.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-03-03T20:20:56Z/2008-09-27T15:53:26Z
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 Rudy Wijnands, 2009, 'Monitoring observations of the Galactic Center region', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-kvda05f
