RX J1605.3+3249: as close to a magnetar as a Magnificent Seven INS can get

RX J1605.3+3249 is one of the intriguing isolated neutron stars (INSs) known asthe Magnificent Seven.. (M7). An evolutionary link with magnetars may explainwhy they rotate more slowly, are hotter, and have higher magnetic fields thanother pulsars of similar age. A recent XMMNewton observation finally revealedthe neutron star spin period. The amplitude of the modulation is stronglyenergydependent. Further observations will be used to determine a precisetiming solution and to perform phaseresolved spectroscopy. These will provideinvaluable information on the geometry of the emitting regions, and will allowus to precisely determine the high value of spin down hinted by analysis ofarchival data, which places the source closer to a magnetar than any other M7 INS. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]