A detailed look at an understudied ULX QPO
Abstract
The study of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) is of increasing importance in helping us to understand the enigmatic population of ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs). Whilst few in number, these signals present an opportunity to understand the accretion flow and provide a diagnostic of the central, unknown mass by comparison of the joint spectral and timing characteristics of the emission to those of well studied X-ray binaries (XRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We propose a single orbit observation of NGC 6946 X-1, providing only the second unambiguous high-quality dataset on a ULX with a QPO. This will allow the QPO and broad-band variability to be probed using the latest joint spectral/timing methods, allowing robust tests for models of the emission properties of this ULX.
- Publication:
-
XMM-Newton Proposal
- Pub Date:
- October 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011xmm..prop...59M
- Keywords:
-
- White Dwarf Binaries;
- Neutron Star Binaries;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- ULXs;
- Black Holes;
- NGC 6946 X-1