We will observe the newly discovered gamma-ray (GR) binary LMC P3 at 3 phases ofits 10.3-d orbit. LMC P3 is 4x more luminous than similar systems in gamma-raysand 10x in X-ray and radio. This extreme behavior may be driven by a largespin-down power from the suspected pulsar, as well as a high UV photon seeddensity of the O5 III star, but the details of the high energy emission regionremain perplexing. We will probe the physical conditions of this emission regionwith the first high S/N phase-resolved spectra, and search for signatures of aNS or BH using the 30 microsecond time resolution of EPIC-pn in Timing mode. Ourphase-resolved spectral and temporal study of LMC P3, the first extra-galacticGR binary, is the first step towards characterizing the GR binary population.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-07-21T22:39:00Z/2017-07-27T10:55:20Z
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 Joel Coley, 2018, 'LMC P3: An Extreme Particle Accelerator', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-xnl9rgx
