Abstract for Proposal 090345
Investigating hard X-ray transients in the Magellanic Cloud System
The Magellanic Clouds (MCs) harbour a large sample of transient
high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) systems at a moderate and well known
distance with low Galactic foreground absorption. In the course of
the eROSITA all-sky surveys the MCs and the Magellanic Bridge (MB)
are scanned frequently. This provides the unique opportunity to detect
hard X-ray transients in the full Magellanic System (MS), as already
demonstrated during the first surveys. To continue our program, we
propose five 20 ks triggered XMM observations of new or unexplored hard
transient sources in the MS. Our goal is to study their spectral and
temporal properties. This will allow us to continue the build-up of
large statistical samples of HMXBs in the MS, but also to search for
other hard transients like low-mass X-ray binaries.
Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
Transients with hard X-ray spectrum in the Magellanic Sytem (LMC, SMC
and Magellanic Bridge) in outburst with luminosity exceeding 5x10E35
erg/s. Observation to be performed within 5 days after trigger.