PSR B1259-63 is one of only two known GRLBs that hosts a pulsar orbiting a Bestar. Close to periastron the system is detected from radio through X-ray up to10 TeV energies. The latest TeV analysis indicates that in the very high energydomain, it exhibits a 3-peak light curve around periastron. While two of themaxima roughly coincide with the periods when the pulsar crosses the Be-stardisc and can be explained within existing models, the origin of the third peakremains elusive. We ask for joint H.E.S.S./XMM-Newton observations of this peakin 2021 to probe its periodic appearance in the TeVs and to search for andinvestigate its X-ray counterpart. Due to ground-based visibility constraints,this will be the only opportunity to observe in periastron in TeV and X-rays for next 7 years.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-01-07T21:01:13Z/2021-01-16T03:40:23Z
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 Denys Malyshev, 2022, 'Joint XMM-Newton and H.E.S.S. view of PSR B1259-63 before stellar disc passage', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-tzw345u
