PSR J2215+5135 appears to be one of the heaviest neutron stars known. Howeverthe precise mass depends on the model-dependent measurement ofthe orbital inclination. Our project constrains this value in two ways, bymeasuring the structure of the orbital X-ray light curve peaks caused byrelativisticparticles in the intrabinary shock and by obtaining a clear ultraviolet lightcurve of the pulsar.s heated companion. The measurements also probe theshock geometry, flaring activity and particle acceleration and test whether thepulsar can complete evaporate of its companion before it spins down.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2022-06-08T20:07:03Z/2022-12-01T19:40:12Z
Version
20.09_20221024_1724
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 Roger Romani, 2023, 'PSR J2215+5135: An IBS Probe of Mass and Evolution', 20.09_20221024_1724, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-q07rtyv
