Our knowledge about the X-ray emission properties of neutron stars comes from arelatively small number of objects. The virgul300 X-ray detected (of about 2600known) neutron stars comprise a rather inhomogeneous and incomplete sample, inparticular for pulsars with low spin-down powers. Yet, it is for these pulsarsthat we see potential evidence for increased heating or non-dipole magneticfield components. Theoretical interpretations are currently hampered by apotential observational bias. We propose a legacy survey of nearby pulsars toobtain a less biased view of neutron star.s X-ray properties. The proposedobservations will fill in the crucial parameter space of the X-ray luminosity -spin-down power diagram which is essential to understand the physics of neutron stars and pulsars.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-04-25T09:39:28Z/2019-03-29T04:01:22Z
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 Bettina Posselt, 2020, 'Towards an X-ray Inventory of Nearby Pulsars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zibtgui
