We propose the continuation of a very successful fulfill program (accepted inAO17 and AO18) aimed at studying the flaring phenomenology of the supergiantfast X-ray transients (SFXTs). Our milestone analysis of all available XMM SFXTobservations proved that the XMM data are the best suited to probe the physicsof clumpy wind accretion. The current number of observed flares is still limitedand more observations are needed to achieve a meaningful statistical sample foreach source. 2-5 flares are observed every 20 ks exposure, and thus short XMMfulfill observations provide the best mean to build upon the current database,providing also the required large effective area and good energy resolution tomeasure of NH and spectral slopes variations within time scales of virgul100 s.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-10-17T20:00:11Z/2021-01-26T05:11:34Z
Version
18.02_20200221_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 Enrico Bozzo, 2022, 'Probing clump accretion onto neutron stars with XMM-Newton', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-j7m84mh
