
| Proposal ID | 069302 |
| Title | Measuring Black Hole Spins: ToO Observations of a Black Hole Transient |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0693020301 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-j59dax0 |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Prof Joern Wilms |
| Abstract | We propose two 20 ksec long Target of Opportunity observations of a bright blackhole transient in outburst, to study the relativistic Fe Kα line profileand its variability in such systems, and to perform X-ray timing studies. Felines probe the innermost regions of accretion disks where the gravitationalfield is the most intense. To obtain a maximum signal to noise ratio in theline, these observations will be using the modified timing mode of the EPIC-pncameras, recently employed successfully in observations of the relativistic lineof Cygnus X-1. The accurate measurement of the line shape will then lead toconstraints on the black hole spin. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2012-09-28T22:50:00Z/2012-09-29T09:36:57Z |
| 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 | 2013-10-18T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-08-04 |
| Keywords | "epic pn cameras", "gravitational field", "employed successfully", "relativistic line", "bright blackhole transient", "blackhole transient", "line shape", "accretion dis", "fe lines probe", "noise ratio", "blackhole spin", " 945", "innermost region", "perform xray", "blackhole spins", "cygnus x", "line profile", "relativistic fe", "EPIC", "maximum signal" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Prof Joern Wilms, 2013, 'Measuring Black Hole Spins: ToO Observations of a Black Hole Transient', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-j59dax0 |