An ultra-compact X-ray binary (UCXB) candidate with potentially the shortestknown orbital period of 10.2 minutes was serendipitously discovered in theGalactic Bulge. Its only available X-ray spectra from XMM, and radio/IRobservations suggest that the source may be the first direct impact NS binarywith no accretion disk or (less likely) an intermediate polar. The proposedNuSTAR+XMM observations will confirm the period for a NS spin, and identify thesource by a combination of broad-band X-ray spectroscopy and Fe linediagnostics. Given its short orbital period, the source may be one of the fewUCXBs detectable by the future LISA GW observatory.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-02-28T06:07:42Z/2021-02-28T15:17:42Z
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 Kaya Mori, 2022, 'A NEUTRON STAR ULTRA-COMPACT X-RAY BINARY WITH THE SHORTEST KNOWN ORBITAL PERIOD', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-mot6mir
