The pulsed thermal X-ray radiation from radio millisecond pulsars (MSPs) canprovide valuable insight into the fundamental physics of neutron stars.Realistic pulse shape modeling has begun to offer important constraints on theneutron star equation of state. For binary MSPs, combining this method with anindependent precision mass measurement from radio timing can yield definitiveconstraints on neutron star structure. We propose exploratory XMM-Newtonobservations of PSR J1400-1438, a recently discovered nearby MSP, to establishif it is suitable as laboratories for fundamental neutron star physics and, atthe same time, complete the X-ray census of MSPs within <500 pc. This reqest ispart of critical preparatory work for the upcoming NICER X-ray timing mission.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-07-17T23:04:13Z/2016-07-18T10:25:53Z
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 Slavko Bogdanov, 2017, 'PSR J1400-1438: A Potential Laboratory for Fundamental Neutron Star Physics', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-w7knsam
