The spectra of many X-ray pulsars show a low-energy component in addition to themain power-law, which can be described with different models (both thermal andnon-thermal). The study of this feature is essential in order to cast light onthe physical processes on-going in accreting sources. Due to the low absorptionin its direction, the transient pulsars in the SMC, which can reach highluminosities (Lx > 1E38 erg/s), can provide high statistic spectra at lowenergies; two of them (XTE J0111-7317 and RX J0059.2-7138) have already shown aclear excess during their outburst. Therefore we ask to perform a triggeredobservation with XMM of a selected sample of transient pulsars in the SMC, ifthey undergo a bright outburst, in order to characterize the spectral and timing properties of the soft excess.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-04-14T14:31:33Z/2017-04-14T18:55:20Z
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 Nicola La Palombara, 2018, 'Study of the spectral soft excess in high luminosity transient pulsars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-k7ns5r8
