Soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) are part of a rapidly increasing group of X-raysources exhibiting sporadic and powerful emission of short bursts and outbursts,believed to be magnetars, i.e. neutron stars powered by extreme magnetic fields( Bsim10^{14}-10^{15} G). We have recently discovered the first SGR with a lowmagnetic field (Rea et al. 2010, Science, 330, 944; Rea et al. 2013, ApJ 770,65), SGR 0418+5729 discovered in outburst after it emitted bursts similar tothose of magnetars. We ask for a 120,ks XMM observation to measure SGR 0418+5729.s quiescent flux and surface temperature, crucial for tuning the magnetar modelas well as predict how many hidden magnetars there might be within the pulsarpopulation (abridged).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-08-13T21:26:34Z/2014-08-18T11:16:46Z
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 Nanda Rea, 2015, 'The quiescent emission of the first low-B soft gamma repeater', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-gegu7nf
