The persistent black hole binary LMC X-3 is the best system on which to testtheoretical models on the shape of the accretion disc spectrum. This is due tothe combination of very low absorbing column density along this line of sight,which allows the shape of the disc emission to be constrained at low energies,and its mass accretion rate, which varies by a factor 10, giving a sequence ofdisc dominated spectra 0.05-0.5 L/LEdd. However, there is currently only 1 goodXMM-Newton observation of this source, at close to its peak luminosity. Wepropose an additional 4 observations which will give a sequence of disc spectraat different luminosities, enabling us to critically test the best current discmodels and get the most robust constraints on black hole spin.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-05-20T16:44:38Z/2012-01-21T09:54:47Z
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, Ms Mari Kolehmainen, 2013, 'LMC X-3: The best test of accretion disc models', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ko1mbog
