The binary millisecond pulsar J1023+0038 is one of only three sources that havebeen observed to transition between a radio millisecond pulsar and a low-massX-ray binary state. In the low-mass X-ray binary state, the system exhibitsdiscrete high and low modes in X-ray flux, between which it rapidly switches onminute-long timescales. Coherent X-ray pulsations at the spin period of theneutron star are observed only during the high X-ray flux modes. For the firsttime, we are seeing coherent X-ray pulsations from a neutron star accreting atvery low luminosity (10e33 erg/s). The rapid on/off switching of the
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-12-09T00:46:19Z/2015-12-09T08:27:59Z
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 Cees Bassa, 2017, 'Unraveling the cause of intermittent accretion in PSRJ1023+0038 with XMM and VLT', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-cwy5f9p
