RX J0720.4-3125 is unique among the Magnificent Seven (M7) isolated neutronstars, showing long-term variations in its X-ray spectrum over more than 10years. If the M7 stars are indeed descendants of magnetars, then a decayingmagnetic field leads to decreasing magnetically-driven glitch activity and it isconceivable that also other members of the group exhibit a similar behaviour. Wepropose snapshot XMM-Newton observations of the four M7 stars RBS1223, RBS1774,RX J0806.4-4123 and RX J0420.0-5022 to look for long-term spectral changes. TheEPIC-pn observations will achieve an accuracy of better than 2 eV in thetemperature determination, sufficient for comparison with archival observationsand to identify an event as observed from RX J0720.4-3125.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-05-16T15:47:34Z/2019-12-16T11:29:18Z
Version
18.00_20191217_1110
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 Frank Haberl, 2021, 'Searching for long-term spectral evolution in the Magnificent Seven', 18.00_20191217_1110, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-9k0emts
