| 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 |
|
| 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 |
| Keywords | "disc xray photons", "short timescales", "XMM-Newton", "soft ulxs", "perform time", "xmm newton", "flux dips", "powerful winds", "ulx bright", "XMM", "wind spectroscopy", "130 xmm newton", "super eddington accretion", "NGC 4559", "spectral shape", "enhanced xray variability", "variable wind", "temporarily block", "soft ngc", "winds vary", "object triggered" |
| 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 |