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Abstract
We describe XMM-Newton observations taken 4.3 d prior to and 1.5 d subsequent to two remarkable events that were detected with Swift on 2006 September 21 from the candidate magnetar CXOU J164710.2-455216: (i) a 20-ms burst with an energy of 10(37) erg (15-150 keV), and (ii) a rapid spin-down (glitch) with Delta P/P similar to -10(-4). We find that the luminosity of the pulsar increased by a factor of 100 in the interval between observations, from 1 x 10(33) to 1 x 10(35) erg s(-1) (0.5-8.0 keV), and that its spectrum hardened. The pulsed count rate increased by a factor of 10 (0.5-8.0 keV), but the fractional rms amplitude of the pulses decreased from 65 to 11 per cent, and their profile changed from being single-peaked to exhibiting three distinct peaks. Similar changes have been observed from other magnetars in response to outbursts, such as that of 1E 2259+586 in 2002 June. We suggest that a plastic deformation of the neutron star crust induced a very slight twist in the external magnetic field, which in turn generated currents in the magnetosphere that were the direct cause of the X-ray outburst.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | L44-L48 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters |
Volume | 378 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2007 |
Keywords
- X-rays : bursts
- individual : CXOU J164710.2
- stars : magnetic fields
- pulsars
- 455216
- stars : neutron
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Dive into the research topics of 'Exciting the magnetosphere of the magnetar CXOU J164710.2?455216 in Westerlund 1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
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Birmingham Astrophysics - Rolling Grant 2007-2012
Ponman, T., Cruise, M., Freise, A., Raychaudhury, S., Smith, G., Speake, C., Stevens, I. & Vecchio, A.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
1/04/07 → 31/03/12
Project: Research Councils