The 7 Isolated Neutron Stars (INSs) intrigue because their thermal emissiongives a view of neutron star surfaces and because of their large inferredpopulation, although progress has slowed. The radio pulsar J0726-2612 appearsvery similar to the INSs in our short Chandra observation, suggesting that it isa progenitor to the INSs and can help understand that population. To take fulladvantage of this source we have proposed for radio astrometry and timing thatwill determine its kinematic age, distance, phase stability, and orientation.Here we request 100 ks of XMM observations to obtain a deep spectrum. This willallow accurate determination of its angular diameter, search for an X-rayabsorption feature, and permit phase-resolved spectroscopy to map the surface.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-04-07T06:26:58Z/2013-04-08T12:33:54Z
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, Prof David Kaplan, 2014, 'A Deep Observation of the High-B Pulsar J0726-2612', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-783ufrh
