The ultraluminous X-ray source population is now broadly expected to bedominated by super-Eddington accretors, thanks to the broadband spectroscopyprovided by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton in combination, and the detection of X-raypulsations from a growing subset of ULXs (unambiguously confirming them assuper-Eddington neutron stars). IC 5052 ULX and ESO 501-023 ULX are extreme ULXs(LX;peak > 1040 erg so???1) that have received very little observationalattention to date. Here, we propose coordinated 100+50 ks NuSTAR+XMM-Newtonobservations of these sources in order to constrain their broadband spectra andsearch for pulsations. These observations will provide the first robustconstraints on the nature of these two extreme binary systems.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2022-10-05T09:57:55Z/2022-11-21T10:38:55Z
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, Dr Dominic Walton, 2023, 'BROADBAND OBSERVATIONS OF NEW ULXS: IC5052 ULX AND ESO501-023 ULX', 20.09_20221024_1724, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-bewgx1x
