Magnetars are a rare class of isolated neutron stars, whose emission propertieschallenged in the past few years all the theories of radiative processes inpresence of extreme magnetic i??elds. Catching new magnetar candidates andenlarge the known sample of these peculiar ob jects is vital in order to testsuch theories, provide the basis for new developments and clarify thedifferences and connections among the whole family of isolated neutron stars.The aim of this proposal is to identify the three most promising magnetarcandidates, selected among a large number of still unidentii??ed INTEGRALsources. Their hard and peculiar X-ray spectrum and closeness to the galacticplane suggested they most likely belong to the magnetar class.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-10-16T21:19:56Z/2011-03-02T11:38:45Z
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 Lucia Pavan, 2012, 'Catching magnetar candidates among unidentified INTEGRAL sources with XMM', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-brxa6fe
