The fading of the extraordinary low mass X-ray binary EXO 0748-676: Part II

We propose to continue monitoring the dipping low-mass X-ray binary EXO 0748-676 as it moves into quiescence. RXTE first reported its detection at the lowest flux level since the beginning of the RXTE mission in 1996 in pointed observations during August 2008 (ATel #1736). Swift observations in October 2008 confirmed the likely cessation of accretion activity (ATel #1812). The cooling of the neutron star crust has been subsequently monitored with XMM observations every 4 months (this proposal, Part I). The last of these observations shows that the cooling of the crust is still continuing. A further observation of EXO 0748-676 is important to determine the cooling curve of the neutron star crust, which has been heated during by more than 20~years of accretion.