We have discovered a new type of brief but very energetic flaring phenomenon intwo X-ray sources associated with old, compact star clusters around nearbygalaxies. These sources flare by factors of >100 to X-ray luminosities 1-2orders of magnitude larger than the Eddington limit of a neutron star on timescales of <1 minute, yet the process does not destroy the object. These flaresrepresent the most energetic sources ever discovered in globular clusters. Wepropose XMM-Newton observations of one of these sources that flares repeatedlyto catch the flare with the pn to provide better timing and spectra during aflare to constrain the mass and emission mechanism of these intriguing objects.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-01-29T17:50:05Z/2021-01-30T17:16:45Z
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, Prof Jimmy Irwin, 2022, 'Catching A Giant X-ray Flare In An Extragalactic Compact Star Cluster', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-woqjqdy
