Magnetars are young isolated neutron stars with bright broad-band 0.5-200keV persistent X-ray emission, caused by the decay of the extremely highinternal and external magnetic field. Here we propose a simultaneousNuSTAR+XMM-Newton observation of one of the brightest magnetars,1RXSvirgulJ170849.0 - 400910. This source shows the most drastic changes in pulseprofile shape with energy as well as the most complex spectral variations withphase. The proposed observation will allow us to perform broad-bandhigh-sensitivity fine-resolution phase-resolved spectroscopy, crucial todisentangle the contribution from different spectral components in each phasebin. Such analysis would be the ultimate test for the currently available theoretical models for X-ray emission production in magnetars.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-08-29T16:35:40Z/2018-08-30T08:00:40Z
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 George Assaf Younes, 2019, 'NUSTAR OBSERVATION OF THE MAGNETAR 1RXS J170849.0-400910', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-h5kl81g
