We propose a series of 1 ksec Chandra observations of an enigmatic class ofobjects: faint to very faint accreting slow pulsators with period greater thanseveral hundreds of seconds. The nature of these objects is unclear; likely theyare neutron stars accreting from a high-mass companion star, but often anaccreting magnetized white dwarf nature (i.e., an intermediate polar) cannot beexcluded. With our proposed Chandra observations we will obtain a position ofthese sources which will be used to identify their optical/IR counterpart,crucial in determining the exact nature of these systems. In addition, werequest short (5 ksec) XMM-Newton observations of the same targets which willresult in good spectra and allow for searches to be undertaken for any spin-period derivatives.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-09-30T07:02:09Z/2008-03-04T17:49:46Z
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, 'Chandra observations of an engimatic class of faint accreting slow pulsators', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ocwbl53
