We propose to continue the simultaneous XMM+NuSTAR observing program forultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) initiated in the previous observing cycle,with observations of two further sources of interest, Holmberg II X-1 andNGC5907 ULX. The bright X-ray emission from ULX binaries greatly exceeds theEddington luminosity for a spherically accreting stellar-mass compact object,and understanding why this is so is one of the biggest mysteries in high energyastrophysics. Combined, XMM-Newton and NuSTAR will obtain high-quality spectraand timing measurements from 0.3 30 keV, providing powerful probes forunderstanding the accretion modes and nature of the central BHs.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-09-09T06:16:17Z/2013-11-13T01:42:52Z
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 Fiona Harrison, 2014, 'X-ray Study of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8k4ssoz
