The detection of pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources (PULXs) has led to aparadigm shift for the field; the key questions now revolve around thedemographics of ULXs (black holes vs neutron stars) and the details of theiraccretion physics. The detection of more PULXs is critical to answering bothquestions. We have therefore mined the first eROSITA all-sky survey (eRASS1)with the intention of finding new PULX candidates. Here, we propose a 30 ksobservation of a new extreme ULX (L(X) > 10^40 erg/s) detected in each ofeRASS1, 2 and 3 with a high enough flux to make sensitive accelerated pulsationsearches very viable, and thus determine whether it is a PULX.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2022-10-18T12:05:35Z/2022-10-18T22:33:55Z
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 Tim Roberts, 2023, 'Investigating an extreme ULX detected in eRASS1', 20.09_20221024_1724, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-z3zgsdf
