Proposal ID | 060403 |
Title | X-ray Column Density towards the Low Mass X-ray Binary 4U 1702-429 |
Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0604030101 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-09ztjz4 |
Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Feryal Ozel |
Abstract | We propose to use the RGS onboard XMM-Newton to measure the Hydrogen columndensity towards the X-ray binary 4U 1702-429. We will detect and model the Ne,Mg, Si, Fe and O absorption edges in the RGS spectra of the source to determineinterstellar elemental abundances along the line of sight. We will convert theseabundances to an equivalent hydrogen column density in order to (i) remove asource of large uncertainty in modeling the continuum source spectra, and (ii)measure the distance to the X-ray binary by employing a technique that comparesthe reddening of a source to that of red clump stars along the line of sight.Our ultimate goal is to combine the distance measurement with existing Type-IX-ray burst data to determine the mass and radius of the neutron star. |
Publications |
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Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
Temporal Coverage | 2010-03-09T13:51:33Z/2010-03-10T00:23:28Z |
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 | 2011-04-01T00:00:00Z |
Keywords | "existing type", "rgs spectra", "XMM", "xray binary", "distance measurement", "neutron star", "xray burst data", "interstellar elemental abundance", "absorption edges", "XMM-Newton", "red clump stars", "continuum source spectra" |
Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Feryal Ozel, 2011, 'X-ray Column Density towards the Low Mass X-ray Binary 4U 1702-429', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-09ztjz4 |