The unidentified source HESS J1702-420 and the possible nebula of PSR J1702-4128

We propose XMMNewton observations to examine the nature of the unidentified VHEgammaray source HESS J1702420. The VHE morphology shows a tail towards PSRJ17024128, and we propose deeper Xray observations of a field containing thispulsar to confirm if it exhibits an asymmetric Xray nebula, for which there issome evidence in archival ASCA data. If so, this would be the oldest and leastenergetic pulsar yet found to power a VHE and Xray nebula. The proposedexposure should also allow a confirmation of the more localised excess seen atthe pulsar position with Chandra. Finally, the proposed observation would alsomore than triple the XMMNewton exposure on G344.70.1, a supernova remnantwhich shows some evidence of containing a plerionic component. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]