Optical emission observed from ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) comes from theirradiated disk and the donor star. Disentangling the two components has alwaysbeen an unsolved problem. We have discovered that the ULX NGC 1313 X-2 switchesbetween two distinct X-ray spectral/luminosity states on long timescales, virgul6--10 weeks. This makes it an ideal laboratory to study the effects of variableX-ray irradiation on the disk and donor star. We propose a multiband study ofNGC 1313 X-2 from near-IR to X-rays, with XMM, HST and Swift. We will measurethe contribution of X-ray reprocessing to the optical emission and determinewhether irradiation correlates with disk winds.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-12-05T04:12:48Z/2016-03-24T07:21:00Z
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 Fabien Grise, 2017, 'Changes in the X-ray irradiation of an ultraluminous X-ray source', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-kvih93t
