Name | 015217 |
Title | The Nature of Ultra-Luminous Compact X-ray Sources |
URL | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0152170501 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ptpy6y7 |
Author | Dr Mark Cropper |
Description | We propose to establish the nature of the ultra-luminous X-ray sources (Lx greater than 4e39 erg/s). These may be a new type of accreting system, with the compact object mass approx 100 Msun -- an intermediate mass black hole. This is currently controversial and alternative models of a stellar mass black hole with beamed emission are also being championed. If they are intermediate mass black holes their origin may be primordial, or the result of galaxy or black hole mergers. We will use high S/N spectra, timing studies and X-ray/UV imaging to distinguish between the two scenarios. Only XMM-Newton with its large collecting area, long exposures and good PSF can obtain the timing and spectral data necessary to determine the nature of these objects. |
Publication | No observations found associated with the current proposal |
Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
Temporal Coverage | 2003-05-27T02:41:51Z/2003-05-27T14:25:53Z |
Version | 17.56_20190403_1200 |
Mission Description | The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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 | 2004-06-21T00:00:00Z |
Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Mark Cropper, 2004, 015217, 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ptpy6y7 |