We study a transient ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in M83, which went intooutburst in 2010 and is now evolving towards the luminosity range of ordinarystellar-mass black holes. We propose an XMM-Newton and HST study: a) to modelthe spectral state evolution during the decline, and discover how the ULX regimeis linked to the sub-Eddington accretion states of Galactic BHs; b) to determineor constrain the mass of the BH, from X-ray spectroscopy; c) to quantify theproperties of the irradiated disk, and its response to variable X-rayillumination.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-08-07T03:17:34Z/2016-01-20T22:31:44Z
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 Roberto Soria, 2017, 'State transitions of the ULX in M83', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-yroga75
