MSH15-56: CLOSING IN ON THE PULSAR

We propose two XMM observations of the archetypical composite supernova remnantMSH1556 (G326.31.8). We have detected a faint point source and diffuse nebulawith Chandra which appear to be the compact object and it associated pulsar windnebula. These two XMM observations will confirm the identification of the objectas an Xray synchrotron nebula, its association with the larger supernovaremnant, and the age of the supernova remnant. The inferred properties of thepulsar from the Chandra data indicate that this object might be in anintermediate region between normal radio pulsars and radioquiet neutron stars. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]