| Proposal ID | 055532 |
| Title | Identifying the Nearest and Brightest Neutron Stars |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0555320301 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-f9uo723 |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Derek Fox |
| Abstract | Using catalog cross-correlation and more than 400 ksec of Swift satellite X-rayand UV observations, we have identified 12 candidate neutron stars from amongthe 18,811 sources of the ROSAT Bright Source Catalog. With one of these nowconfirmed as the eighth isolated neutron star, Calvera, we request XMM-Newtonobservations of the ^en remaining to collect (1) Sub-arcsec positions; (2)High-quality X-ray spectra; and (3) X-ray timing data. These three parallelinvestigations will address vital physical properties of the sources and revealwhether, and in what respects, they resemble the known populations of neutronstars. This single program thus has the potential to dramatically increase thenumber of bright, nearby neutron stars that are known. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2008-05-11T15:51:17Z/2008-08-16T22:28:38Z |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2009-09-27T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "'", "vital physical properties", "nearby neutron stars", "quality xray spectra", "neutron stars", "brightest neutron stars", "parallel investigations", "xmm newton", "811 sources", "XMM-Newton", "single program", "calvera ", "ROSAT", "catalog cross correlation", "XMM", "swift satellite xray", "candidate neutron stars", "sub arcsec positions" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Derek Fox, 2009, 'Identifying the Nearest and Brightest Neutron Stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-f9uo723 |