| Name | 055221 |
| Title | Measuring the Spin-down of Two Nearby Isolated Neutron Stars |
| URL | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0552210201 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-wf42nt2 |
| Author | Dr David Kaplan |
| Description | The nearest thermally emitting neutron stars arguably offer the best prospects for measuring neutron star radii, but this task is complicated by our lack of knowledge about their magnetic field strengths, which hinders modeling of their spectra. Recently, we have determined field strengths for two objects using dedicated X-ray timing observations: by measuring spin-down and assuming a dipole field, we find magnetic fields between normal pulsars and magnetars. We propose to complete this sample with timing observations of the two remaining objects in this class with clear periodicities: RX J0420.0-5022 and RX J0806.4-4123. This will provide vital, model-independent constraints to aid in interpreting the mysterious absorption features found in their X-ray spectra. |
| Publication | No observations found associated with the current proposal |
| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2008-05-11T10:45:37Z/2009-04-11T02:34:34Z |
| Version | PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE |
| Mission Description | The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2010-05-12T00:00:00Z |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr David Kaplan, 2010, 055221, PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-wf42nt2 |