Observing the cooling of neutron stars reheated by accretion provides uniqueinsights into neutron star structure. Here we propose observations of thecooling neutron star in MAXI J0556-332, a transient that had been accreting atnear-Eddington rates for nearly 16 months when it returned to quiescence in May2012. Chandra and XMM observations in quiescence have revealed a rapidly coolingneutron star with by far the highest temperatures observed to date for suchsystems. We request two 48 ks XMM observations of MAXI J0556-332. Theseobservations will 1) allow us to search for an early break in the cooling curvethat might be indicative of uneven heating in the crust, and 2) help us inunderstanding why the neutron star in this system is exceptionally hot.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-09-13T22:59:52Z/2013-09-14T12:19:52Z
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, Dr Jeroen Homan, 2014, 'Cooling of the super-heated neutron star in MAXI J0556-332', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zweklg8
