Minimum credit line:
Image courtesy of F. Haberl and ESA.
(for details, see Conditions of Use).
The image above can be displayed at full size and may be downloaded by clicking the image above.
About this Image
Spectral evolution of the isolated neutron star RX J0720.4-3125 as obtained by the EPIC-pn instrument over nearly 6 years. During the first XMM-Newton observation, the temperature inferred from the spectrum was at minimum, while four years later, the temperature had increased to a maximum. This effect can be interpreted by a changing viewing geometry. RX J0720.4-3125 is most probably precessing, i.e. there is a slow tumbling of the star, which exposes different areas of the surface over time which have different temperatures.
Higher resolution versions of this image may be available, please contact the XMM-Newton HelpDesk.
Search the Image Gallery
To search the Image Gallery for a particular object, fill in the object name in the box below and click the Submit button.
To search the Image Gallery for other images, fill in any of the fields below and click the Submit button.
For more search options, please use our Advanced Search form.
