The Supergiant Fast X-ray Transients (SFXTs) IGR J17354-3255 and SAXJ1818.6-1703 are in the central region of the SFXT orbital period range and bothshow a high .recurrence. of periastron emission. Here we propose to performsensitive, soft X-ray observations during the system periastron passages for thefirst time. These precisely targeted observations will maximise the probabilityof detecting pulsations in these systems and also allow us to place firmconstraints on the stellar wind geometry within them. These measurements areessential to advance our current understanding of SFXTs, having the potential toalter the way in which we view the class as a whole and whether they can indeedbe considered a single class of systems at all.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-03-15T13:04:56Z/2013-03-21T21:24:54Z
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, Mr Sebastian Drave, 2014, 'Searching for pulsations in the SFXTs IGR J17354-3255 and SAX J1818.6-1703', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-to2jfhr
