092128

The X-ray dim isolated neutron star (XDINS) population comprised of 7 objects could make up a significant part of the Galactic isolated neutron star (INS)population. To understand intrinsic properties birthrates and evolutionarylinks to other INS classes the sample must be increased. The eROSITA All-SkySurvey (eRASS) will unveil the elusive XDINS population beyond the solarvicinity. To confirm the XDINS nature for 7 candidates selected from the eRASSwe propose observations with XMM-Newton and the VLT aiming to increase theX-ray-to-optical flux ratio limits to improve localisations and to investigatethe X-ray spectral and temporal properties. This programme will double the knownpopulation and be the basis for future studies of the Galactic XDINS population. [truncated! Please see actual data for full text]