Prompt study of magnetar outbursts with XMM-Newton

AXPs and SGRs are believed to be magnetars, ultramagnetised neutron starspowered by huge magnetic fields. They are characterized by bursts, glitches,signicant variability in flux, spectral shape, pulse shape, pulsed fraction.They go through long stretches of quiescence, interrupted by periods ofactivity. Observations performed during, or immediately after such periods yieldthe largest amount of information on magnetars. emission, allowing to test thetheoretical models on a variety of phenomena and source states. We propose arapid ToO program aimed at gathering new physical insight on these sources,through the study of the very initial phases (within 10 days) of the outburstsof known or newly discovered magnetars. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]