Studying the pre-periastron flare of GX 301-2

We propose the first observation of the bright neutron star GX 3012 withXMMNewton. The aim of the proposed 50ksec observation is a study the source.spreperiastron flare. This will allow us to analyze the structure (includingdensity and clumpiness) of the gas stream flowing from Wray 977 to GX 3012which is intercepted by the neutron star prior to periastron passage giving riseto the preperiastron flare. As the source is very bright during the flare, wewill use the modified timing mode to obtain spectra with exceptional statisticalquality. These data will then be used to study the evolution of nh and the ironline with very high time resolution. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]