The magnetar candidates (comprising AXPs and SGRS) are a small class of neutronstars mainly powered by their huge magnetic fields. They go through longstretches of quiescence, interrupted by periods of activity, via short X-raybursts, large giant flares and yearly-timescale X-ray outbursts. Observationsperformed during, or immediately after such periods yield the largest amount ofinformation on magnetars. emission, allowing one to test the theoretical modelson a variety of phenomena and source states. We propose a Joint XMM (85ks) andNuSTAR (170ks) ToO program (1 trigger of 4 observations over a few months) aimedat gathering new physical insight on magnetars crust, field configuration,magnetospheres, and evolution.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-03-04T01:40:33Z/2019-09-23T06:39:32Z
Version
19.17_20220121_1250
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 Nanda Rea, 2020, 'Prompt XMM-Newton and NuSTAR study of magnetar outbursts', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-fj76vuz
