Low-level accretion in the quiescent neutron-star transient XTE-J1701-462

Thermal emission from quiescent neutron stars is commonly used to constraintheir internal structure. Although often neglected, lowlevel accretion in thesesystems may significantly affect the interpretation of this thermal emission. Werecently began Swift monitoring of XTE J1701462, to study lowlevel accretionand its impact on the quiescent properties. We detected episodes of enhancedactivity, to at least 1e35 erg/s (up from 5e33 erg/s). Here, we request a 45 ksXMM ToO observation of XTE J1701462 to study the source spectrum during a newflare episode, to better understand the nature of lowlevel accretion flows andestimate the amount of heating of the neutron star that takes place. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]