Proposal Details - 0820001
Regular and frequent INTEGRAL monitoring of the Galactic Bulge region (Kuulkers)

Proposal Summary (based on proposal abstract)

The Galactic bulge region is a rich host of variable X-ray and gamma-ray point sources. Since AO-3 INTEGRAL is monitoring about 140 of them with one hexagonal pattern about every 3 days, whenever it is visible by INTEGRAL. Due to the high scientific return and in order to preserve the continuity with respect to past observations of this ever-changing region, it is proposed to continue the successful program. The main aim is to monitor and actively report on any (transient) activity; in the long run the program will provide inputs about the soft and hard-X-ray (transient) population, as well as on the accretion regimes in the various types of binary systems. Because of the new format since AO-7 and as a service to the scientific community, the observations are to be made public. It is intended to make the IBIS/ISGRI and JEM-X quick-look results publicly available through the web as soon as possible after the data are made available, so that rapid follow-up by the community is possible.

Observation Strategy (Recommended by TAC)

Total of 504 ks in the HEX mode centered on RA, Dec = 266.4, -28.933 (l, b = 0, 0.005), split into 40 fixed time observations of 12.6 ks each (each exposure lasts 1800 sec), done approximately every INTEGRAL orbit when the region is visible.

Proposal grade: A

Data Rights (Recommended by TAC)

The TAC has allocated the following specific Data Rights to this proposal: all the data are made publicly available immediately (no Data Rights proposals are accepted). Near-Real Time and Consolidated data from this proposal will be freely available at the ISDC.

Exposure Map

Exposure maps are in units of s and shown using Galactic coordinates. The intensity scale is given by the colourbar, and there are contour levels at 100, 300 and 500 ks.