XMM monitoring of PSR B1259-63 and its Be-star: A unique interacting system

The aim of this proposal is to monitor the unique pulsar/Bestar system PSR 125963 at different orbital phases, mainly away from periastron where no data were collected so far at energies >2 keV. The binary orbit coverageand the high sensitivity of XMM will allow us to study in details the time and spectral variability of the Xray emission with an unprecedented sensitivity. For the first time we will be able to discriminate the emissionfrom the pulsar and the PSR/Bestar wind interaction. The high statistics ofthe collected data will be crucial to test theoretical models and to searchfor pulsed Xrays. Additional information on the Bestar optical emission will be provided by the OM during the observation. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]