Central Compact Objects (CCOs) in SNR are a handful of puzzling sources supposedto be young, radio-quiet Isolated Neutron Stars (INSs). Recent X-ray timingresults unveiled the nature of a few individual CCOs and showed hat such a.class. is a heterogeneous group of dramatically different objects, possiblyincluding both weakly magnetized INSs and peculiar magnetars. Assessing thenature of CCOs would be crucial in order to get a view of the birth propertiesof neutron stars, which will have important implications for our overallunderstanding of INSs and of their evolutionary pathways. We selected the mostpromising source, RX J0822-4300 inside Puppis A, to perform a definitive searchfor pulsations.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-12-17T19:31:50Z/2010-04-05T22:35:04Z
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 Andrea De Luca, 2011, 'The most sensitive search for pulsations in a Central Compact Object', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-01uw58e
