1E 1613-5055 (1E), the point-like X-ray source at the center of the RCW103supernova remnant, defied for more than a decade any interpretation because ofits puzzling phenomenology, featuring a 6.67 hour periodicity, a dramaticlong-term variability, coupled to a young age and to the lack of any optical/NIRcounterpart. On 2016, June, 1E underwent a new outburst, emitting a millisecondburst of hard X-rays, coupled to a factor 100 brightening in the persistent softX-ray emission. A non- thermal emission component extending up to 30 keV wasalso detected. These new observations strongly suggest that 1E is an isolatedmagnetar, with and extremely slow spin period. We ask for a new 50 ksobservation with EPIC to characterize the phenomenology of this unique source while recovering from its recent outburst.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-02-14T00:30:36Z/2018-02-14T18:00:36Z
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 Andrea De Luca, 2019, 'The slowly rotating magnetar in RCW103 recovering after its 2016 outburst', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ii3y6af
