Search Publications
Gravitationally redshifted absorption lines in the X-ray burst spectra of a neutron star
Mendez, M.; Paerels, F.; Cottam, J.
The fundamental properties of neutron stars provide a direct test of the equation of state of cold nuclear matter, a relationship between pressure and density that is determined by the physics of the strong interactions between the particles that constitute the star. The most straightforward method of determining these properties is by measuring t…
Deep radio imaging of the SCUBA 8-mJy survey fields: submillimetre source identifications and redshift distribution
Ivison, R. J.; Smail, Ian; Dunlop, J. S. +12 more
The SCUBA 8-mJy survey is the largest submillimetre (submm) extragalactic mapping survey undertaken to date, covering 260 arcmin2 to a 4 σ detection limit of ~=8 mJy at 850 µm, centred on the Lockman Hole and ELAIS N2 regions. Here, we present the results of new 1.4-GHz imaging of these fields, of the depth and resolution necessar…
X-ray background measurements with XMM-Newton EPIC
De Luca, A.; Warwick, R. S.; Page, M. +1 more
We discuss the methods used to compile a high signal-to-noise dataset representative of both the instrumental and cosmic background signal measured at high galactic latitude by the XMM-Newton EPIC cameras. The characteristics of the EPIC background are described and the potential applications of the derived dataset in general science analysis are …
A long hard look at MCG-6-30-15 with XMM-Newton
Young, A. J.; Nandra, K.; Iwasawa, K. +6 more
We present the first results from a 325-ks observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG-6-30-15 with XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX. The strong, broad, skewed iron line is clearly detected and is well characterized by a steep emissivity profile within 6rg (i.e. 6GM/c2) and a flatter profile beyond. The inner radius of the emission appear…
XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer Observations of Discrete Soft X-Ray Emission Features from NGC 1068
Kahn, Steven M.; Paerels, Frits; Behar, Ehud +6 more
We present the first high-resolution, soft X-ray spectrum of the prototypical Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 1068. This spectrum was obtained with the XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS). Emission lines from H-like and He-like low-Z ions (from C to Si) and Fe L-shell ions dominate the spectrum. Strong, narrow radiative recombination continua (…
The magnetic field and wind confinement of θ1 Orionis C
Donati, J. -F.; Babel, J.; Harries, T. J. +3 more
We report the detection, through spectropolarimetric observations, of a strong dipolar magnetic field of presumably fossil origin at the surface of the very young O star θ1 Ori C. The Stokes V signatures we detect are variable with time, the variations being consistent with rotational modulation. A detailed modelling of our observations…
Re-examining the X-ray versus spin-down luminosity correlation of rotation powered pulsars
Mereghetti, S.; Possenti, A.; Cerutti, R. +1 more
The empirical relation between the X-ray luminosity (in the 2-10 keV band) and the rate of spin-down energy loss Lsd of a sample of 39 pulsars is re-examined considering recent data from ASCA, RXTE, BeppoSAX, Chandra, and XMM-Newton and including statistical and systematic errors. The data show a significant scatter around an average co…
Large-Amplitude X-Ray Outbursts from Galactic Nuclei: A Systematic Survey using ROSAT Archival Data
Brandt, W. N.; Eracleous, Michael; Boller, Th. +1 more
In recent years, luminous X-ray outbursts with variability amplitudes as high as ~400 have been serendipitously detected from a small number of active and inactive galaxies. These outbursts may result from the tidal disruptions of stars by supermassive black holes, as well as accretion disk instabilities. In order to place the first reliable const…
XMM-Newton observation of the Lockman Hole. II. Spectral analysis
Hasinger, G.; Mainieri, V.; Rosati, P. +5 more
We present the results of the X-ray spectral analysis of the first deep X-ray survey with the XMM-Newton observatory during Performance Verification. The X-ray data of the Lockman Hole field and the derived cumulative source counts were reported by Hasinger et al. (2001). We restrict the analysis to the sample of 98 sources with more than 70 net c…
High-Resolution Observations of the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4636 with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on Board XMM-Newton
Behar, E.; Kahn, S. M.; Mushotzky, R. F. +6 more
We present the first high spectral resolution X-ray observation of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4636, obtained with the reflection grating spectrometer on board the XMM-Newton Observatory. The resulting spectrum contains a wealth of emission lines from various charge states of oxygen, neon, magnesium, and iron. Examination of the cross-dispersi…