Observatory Science with eXTP

TL;DR

The eXTP mission, launching in 2030, aims to advance astrophysics by studying extreme cosmic phenomena using its specialized payloads for spectroscopy, polarimetry, and wide-field imaging.

Contribution

This white paper details the observatory science capabilities of eXTP, highlighting recent scientific and instrumental developments since previous publications.

Findings

Potential to study extreme astrophysical phenomena in unprecedented detail

Enhanced instrumentation for X-ray spectroscopy and polarimetry

Broader research scope including pulsar timing and black hole environments

Abstract

Scheduled for launch in 2030, the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarization (eXTP) telescope is a Chinese space-based mission aimed at studying extreme conditions and phenomena in astrophysics. eXTP will feature three main payloads: Spectroscopy Focusing Arrays (SFAs), Polarimetry Focusing Arrays (PFAs), and a Wide-field Camera (W2C). This white paper outlines observatory science, incorporating key scientific advances and instrumental changes since the publication of the previous white paper [1]. We will discuss perspectives of eXTP on the research domains of flare stars, supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, ultraluminous X-ray sources, AGN, and pulsar-based positioning and timekeeping.