We propose to conduct three 15 ks XMM observations of M33 to be coordinated witha NuSTAR Legacy Program. With these observations, we will study the distributionof X-ray binary (XRB) accretion states in an actively star-forming environment,and constrain the 0.3-40 keV spectrum and variability of the most luminous XRBin the Local Group, the ULX M33 X-8, as well as two other bright sources. Oursurvey area covers > 70% of the star-formation activity within the M33 disk andwill uniquely provide a significant improvement in our knowledge of HMXBaccretion states and the details of the accretion process in 10^39 erg/s ULXs,which have not yet been studied at >10 keV.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-07-21T07:50:00Z/2017-08-02T14:00:09Z
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 Bret Lehmer, 2018, 'A Coordinated XMM-Newton and NuSTAR Survey of the HMXB Population in M33', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-tljpg7e
