Following a series of remarkable discoveries, we now know that some of the mostluminous members of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) population are actuallypowered by apparently super-Eddington neutron star accretors. Three such systemsare currently known\: M82 X-2, NGC 7793 P13, and NGC 5907 ULX1. Here we proposetwo short XMM-Newton observations of P13 to follow-up on our successful campaignin AO 16, to track the evolution of the pulse period, to confirm the orbitalephemeris, and to monitor the X-ray spectrum. P13 is the ideal source for thisprogram, as it is the ULX pulsar in which the pulsations are most clearlydetected and the only one for which the companion star is well known, allowingus to fully quantify the orbit and measure the inclination through X-ray timing.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-11-27T18:08:44Z/2018-12-27T21:31:26Z
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 Felix Fuerst, 2020, 'Tracking the Neutron Star ULX NGC 7793 P13 with XMM-Newton to Measure its Orbit', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2g53c7e
