XMM-Newton Slew Survey observations of the gravitational wave event GW150914

TL;DR

This study analyzes XMM-Newton slew data taken shortly after GW150914, finding no X-ray counterpart but demonstrating the potential of slew observations for future gravitational wave follow-ups.

Contribution

It shows that XMM-Newton slew observations can efficiently cover GW localization regions and are promising for detecting electromagnetic counterparts of future GW events.

Findings

No X-ray counterpart detected down to 6E-13 erg/cm2/s

Slew observations can cover most GW regions within 1.5 days

Demonstrates the potential of slew observations for GW follow-up

Abstract

The detection of the first gravitational wave (GW) transient GW150914 prompted an extensive campaign of follow-up observations at all wavelengths. Although no dedicated XMM-Newton observations have been performed, the satellite passed through the GW150914 error box during normal operations. Here we report the analysis of the data taken during these satellite slews performed two hours and two weeks after the GW event. Our data cover 1.1 square degrees and 4.8 square degrees of the final GW localization region. No credible X-ray counterpart to GW150914 is found down to a sensitivity of 6E-13 erg/cm2/s in the 0.2-2 keV band. Nevertheless, these observations show the great potential of XMM-Newton slew observations for the search of the electromagnetic counterparts of GW events. A series of adjacent slews performed in response to a GW trigger would take <1.5 days to cover most of the typical GW credible region. We discuss this scenario and its prospects for detecting the X-ray counterpart of future GW detections.