We propose a 50 ksec XMM-Newton observation of the transiently accreting neutronstar Swift J1749.4-2807 during its quiescent state. The soft X-ray behavior ofour target is highly unusual for transiently accreting X-ray binaries: after itexhibited a type-I X-ray burst, its 2-10 keV luminosity decreased by nearlythree orders of magnitude in about 1 day, all the way down to its quiescentlevel of virgul1E33 erg/s. With our proposed observation we aim to investigate thepossibility that low-level accretion occurs by studying the quiescent spectralshape and searching for X-ray variability. It also allows us to constraincontributions from a thermal component, thereby probing a new parameter regimefor neutron star cooling models.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-03-19T16:24:22Z/2011-03-20T21:56:15Z
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, Mrs Nathalie Degenaar, 2012, 'Observing the unusual neutron star transient Swift J1749.4-2807 in quiescence', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-seugbl8
