| Proposal ID | 088396 |
| Title | Understanding state transitions in ULXs: wind spectroscopy of ULX bright states |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0883960101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-phk6akn |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Ciro Pinto |
| Abstract | In recent work done with XMM-Newton, we have discovered that ultraluminous X-raysources (ULXs) have powerful winds in agreement with theoretical predictions ofsuper-Eddington accretion. Such winds vary on short timescales and cantemporarily block and reprocess the disc X-ray photons, thus changing thespectral shape of the source. Enhanced X-ray variability is seen during ULXhighest states including flux dips in soft ULXs and flares in hard ones,possibly due to a variable wind in our line of sight. We propose to test this,by studying the hard NGC 4559 X-7 and the soft NGC 55 ULX-1. 130ks XMM-Newtonobservation per object triggered during a high state will enable us to performtime-/flux-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and probe the transition between soft, intermediate, and hard states. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2021-12-12T05:21:21Z/2022-06-15T07:08:31Z |
| Version | 20.08_20220509_1852 |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2023-07-16T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2026-03-04 |
| Keywords | "powerful winds", "soft ngc", "temporarily block", "variable wind", "NGC 4559", "flux dips", "enhanced xray variability", "super eddington accretion", "spectral shape", "disc xray photons", "XMM-Newton", "perform time", "short timescales", "xmm newton", "winds vary", "ulx bright", "object triggered", "soft ulxs", "XMM", "wind spectroscopy", "130 xmm newton" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Ciro Pinto, 2023, 'Understanding state transitions in ULXs: wind spectroscopy of ULX bright states', 20.08_20220509_1852, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-phk6akn |