| Proposal ID | 065092 |
| Title | RX J0720.4-3125 - a free precessing X-ray pulsar? |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0650920101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-i6icd00 |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Mr Markus Hohle |
| Abstract | Within seven radio-quiet, thermally-emitting isolated NSs, RXJ 0720 is unique inthat it shows long-term (~yrs) variations in its spectral parameters. Applying aphase-coherent timing solution with constant spin down leaves large residualswhich may follow a cyclic pattern. The reasons for this behaviour is a matter ofdebate. Both a glitch and precession have been invoked, but present data do notallow to reach a firm conclusion. Most recent XMM observations show that the re-siduals probably reached a minimum of the cycle, while the spectral parametersevolution slowed down. The proposed observations will prove if the timing re-siduals follow a cyclic pattern and weather the spectral and timing variationsare related. The outcome will rule out one of the two proposed scenarios |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2011-04-10T23:59:26Z/2011-04-11T06:04:39Z |
| Version | 21.51_20241115_1113 |
| 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 | 2012-05-04T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2026-07-09 |
| Keywords | "radio quiet", "firm conclusion", "constant spin", "phase coherent", "rx j0720", "XMM", "spectral parameters", "yrs variations", "rxj 0720", "re siduals", "J0720.4", "cyclic pattern" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Mr Markus Hohle, 2012, 'RX J0720.4-3125 - a free precessing X-ray pulsar?', 21.51_20241115_1113, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-i6icd00 |
| Rights | Data hosted in the ESA Space Science Archives are distributed under the CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO license. |