We propose to make a joint 80 ks XMM-Newton plus 40 ks NuSTAR observation of anew or known black hole transient during the end of an outburst, after itentered the low-hard state. The goal is to measure the inner truncation radiusof the accretion disk and to study the accretion geometry before the black holegoes into quiescence again. We aim to observe a source at luminosities below 1%L_edd, to measure the most significant changes in the inner radius and takingfull advantage of the combined sensitivity of XMM and NuSTAR. The observationswill be supported by radio observations to study the connection between theaccretion disk and jet power.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-09-15T16:27:07Z/2015-09-16T20:07:07Z
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 Felix Fuerst, 2016, 'The accretion geometry in a black-hole binary at very low luminosities', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ofbxbaj
