| Proposal ID | 069157 |
| Title | A detailed look at an understudied ULX QPO |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0691570101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-af0d1cu |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Matthew Middleton |
| Abstract | The study of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) is of increasing importance inhelping us to understand the enigmatic population of ultra-luminous X-raysources (ULXs). Whilst few in number, these signals present an opportunity tounderstand the accretion flow and provide a diagnostic of the central, unknownmass by comparison of the joint spectral and timing characteristics of theemission to those of well studied X-ray binaries (XRBs) and active galacticnuclei (AGNs). We propose a single orbit observation of NGC 6946 X-1, providingonly the second unambiguous high-quality dataset on a ULX with a QPO. This willallow the QPO and broad-band variability to be probed using the latest jointspectral/timing methods, allowing robust tests for models of the emission properties of this ULX. |
| Publications |
|
| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2012-10-21T17:50:58Z/2012-10-23T02:59:19Z |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2013-11-07T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2026-03-04 |
| Keywords | "xray binary xrbs", "quality dataset", "accretion flow", "single orbit", "emission properties", "enigmatic population", "broad band variability", "NGC 6946", "understudied ulx qpo", "robust tests", "ngc 6946 x" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Matthew Middleton, 2013, 'A detailed look at an understudied ULX QPO', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-af0d1cu |