NuSTAR Galactic Science: Targeted Observations Of Magnetars, Pulsars, Binaries, Supernova Remnants And More
Abstract
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), scheduled for launch in February 2012, will enable sensitive studies of high-energy sources in the Milky Way Galaxy at an unprecedented depth in the 5-80 keV range. Here we describe the NuSTAR targeted Galactic science observing plan. In particular, we describe our plan and science motivations for NuSTAR observations of: magnetars, with monitoring and target-of-opportunity components, to study spectra and variability properties; rotation-powered pulsars and pulsar wind nebula, to study the energy spectra of both and the hard X-ray morphology of the latter; X-ray binaries including both high-and low-mass varieties for a variety of purposes; gamma-ray binaries to study orbital-phase-dependent spectral changes and do pulsation searches; multiple star-formation regions to study pre-main-sequence flares; the Galactic Center region to study Sag A*; and several young supernova remnants, for spatially resolved high-resolution spectroscopy.
- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #12
- Pub Date:
- September 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011HEAD...12.4303K