Using EPIC to understand the nature of the puzzling compact source in RCW 103

We propose a deep observation of 1E 1613485055, an enigmatic radioquietcompact source lying close to the center of the young (virgul2 kyrs) supernovaremnant RCW 103. At variance with all others Central Compact Objects (CCOs) inSupernova Remnants (SNRs), which behave like isolated neutron stars, it shows aremarkable flux variability, including a possible virgul6 hours periodicity. A longand uninterrupted 100 ksec EPIC observation will conclusively address thephenomenology of 1E 1613485055, proving it to be a truly unique binary systemin a SNR, or some sort of missing link between CCOs and other classes ofradioquiet neutron stars such as Anomalous Xray Pulsars and Soft GammaRepeaters. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]