The recent discovery of a handfuln of ULXs showing pulsations (PULXs)unambiguously associated them to neutron stars (NSs) exceeding up to about 500times their L_Edd. During AO17 we were awarded a LP aimed at searching for newPULXs within 8 fields containing promising candidates. So far we obtained datafor half of sample and we discovered one new PULX. This result confirms thegoodness of the LP adopted strategy and that a relatively large fraction of ULXslikely hosts an accreting NS. The present proposal is aimed at observing twobright (high flux) ULXs in Timing mode and at looking for coherent signals overa period range (1ms<P<100ms). The detection of even one very fast PULX would bevery important for constraining NS accretion models as well as binary systems.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-03-17T23:49:09Z/2020-03-24T04:40:04Z
Version
19.17_20220121_1250
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, Prof GianLuca Israel, 2021, 'Unveiling the fastest Pulsating ULXs', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-40apjgq
