In late 2003 SGR1806-20 gradually entered an active phase displaying an increasein both the burst rate and persistent emission, and culminating on December 2004with the most powerful giant flare ever observed from a soft gamma-ray repeater.The event was followed by a gradual recovery of a flux level close to thepre-flare values. The latest XMM-Newton observation (September 2006) showed thatthe decreasing luminosity trend has been interrupted, possibly in connectionwith the recent onset of a new period of intense bursting activity. Presently itis not clear if the re-brightening is an oscillation around an equilibriumluminosity level, or the start of a new cycle of increasing activity.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-09-05T02:09:15Z/2009-03-04T02:54:15Z
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 Sandro Mereghetti, 2009, 'Long-term monitoring of SGR 1806-20: the start of a new cyclequestionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-7byn3br
