X-ray timing studies of two X-ray pulsars in SNRs have detected no braking oftheir rotation, implying upper limits of 3E11 G on their surface dipole fields,well below those of ordinary young pulsars. We proposed that weak B-fieldsrelated to slow natal spin may be the physical basis of the class of CentralCompact Objects (CCOs), including the unseen pulsar in SN 1987A. This proposalleverages existing timing data on CCO pulsars to determine if they are spinningdown and, if so, to measure their magnetic fields by obtaining coherent timingsolutions linking all previous data. Fields as small as 1E10 G can be measuredin this way. Alternatively, accretion of supernova debris through a fallbackdisk may be occurring, which would be detectable as torque noise.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-09-19T16:41:23Z/2009-04-23T05:22:27Z
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, Prof Jules Halpern, 2010, 'Measuring the Magnetic Fields of Central Compact Objects in Supernova Remnants', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-hwfpuuv
