We propose a 30 ks XMM observation of the accreting millisecond pulsar SAXJ1808.4--3658, during its next outburst. A measure of its orbital parameterswill help to decide whether the system is losing mass at an extraordinary rateor whether some (quasi)-cyclic variation of the orbit is currently ongoing.Understanding how the orbit is evolving will also provide precise orbitalephemeris which are crucial to improve the sensitivity of radio and gamma-raypulse searches.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-09-07T01:46:33Z/2019-09-07T11:34:53Z
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 Alessandro Patruno, 2020, 'Testing Evolutionary Scenarios for the Accreting ms Pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zmcc4m9
