We propose a 70 ks XMM observation of the fastest accreting millisecond pulsardiscovered so far, IGR J00291+5934, during its next outburst. A measure of itsspin and orbital parameters will put firm constraints on its long-term evolutionand on the mechanisms (magneto-dipole emission, gravitational radiation)proposed to explain it. The lack of neutron stars observed to spin atfrequencies close the centrifugal break-up (virgul1.5 kHz) will be tackled on anobservational basis. The observation will also give accurate pulsar ephemeris,to allow a search for the gamma-ray counterpart expected to turn on as thesource switches to a rotation-powered pulsar state during X-ray quiescence. Thisis a re-submission of a proposal approved for the AO11 and 12, and which was not triggered.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-07-28T11:48:19Z/2015-07-29T11:51:02Z
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 Alessandro Papitto, 2016, 'Long-term evolution of the fastest accreting millisecond pulsar IGR J00291+5934', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-028xlgn
