During the first year of operation, the Fermi gamma-ray observatory has detectedtwo new transient GeV sources in the Galactic plane. The nature of theseGalactic gamma-ray transients is currently not known. We propose XMM-Newton ToOobservations of new transients discovered with the Fermi LAT in the Galacticplane. The XMM-Newton observations will enable us to more accurately localizethe transients, identify counterparts at other wavelengths, determine theirX-ray to gamma-ray flux ratio, measure their X-ray spectrum, and characterizetheir variability and decay time scale. This proposal is part of amultiwavelength program that includes observations at radio and TeV energies.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-02-09T21:47:25Z/2010-02-10T01:39:21Z
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 Dirk Pandel, 2011, 'ToO Observations of New Galactic Gamma-ray Transients Discovered with Fermi', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-lnx82o4
