We propose a coordinated X-ray/UV/optical campaign to study the violent flaringactivity recently discovered in the evaporating binary millisecond pulsar PSRJ1311 3430. This -ray binary sports the shortest pulsar orbital period, thestrongest pulsar-driven wind and one of the highest neutron star/companion massratios known. The strong and frequent flares complicate study of the quiescentlight curve and affect the energy transfer from the MSP. Our campaign probes thespectral and orbital phase distribution of these flares, revealing theirlocation, size and radiation physics. In turn this provides a key tounderstanding this extreme system and companion-evaporating pulsars, as a class.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-02-09T22:04:02Z/2018-02-10T18:20:11Z
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 Roger Romani, 2019, 'The Dramatic Flares of Black Widow PSR J1311 3430', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-up9fgd4
