The High Energy X-ray Probe (HEX-P): resolving the nature of Sgr A* flares, compact object binaries and diffuse X-ray emission in the Galactic Center and beyond

Kavli Affiliate: Melania Nynka

| First 5 Authors: Kaya Mori, Gabriele Ponti, Matteo Bachetti, Arash Bodaghee, Jonathan Grindlay

| Summary:

HEX-P is a probe-class mission concept that will combine high spatial
resolution X-ray imaging ($<10"$ FWHM) and broad spectral coverage (0.2-80 keV)
with an effective area far superior to current facilities’ (including
XMM-Newton and NuSTAR). These capabilities will enable revolutionary new
insights into a variety of important astrophysical problems. We present
scientific objectives and simulations of HEX-P observations of the Galactic
Center (GC) and Bulge. We demonstrate the unique and powerful capabilities of
the HEX-P observatory for studying both X-ray point sources and diffuse X-ray
emission. HEX-P will be uniquely equipped to explore a variety of major topics
in Galactic astrophysics, allowing us to (1) investigate broad-band properties
of X-ray flares emitted from the supermassive black hole (BH) at Sgr A* and
probe the associated particle acceleration and emission mechanisms; (2)
identify hard X-ray sources detected by NuSTAR and determine X-ray point source
populations in different regions and luminosity ranges; (3) determine the
distribution of compact object binaries in the nuclear star cluster and the
composition of the Galactic Ridge X-ray emission; (4) identify X-ray transients
and measure fundamental parameters such as BH spin; (5) find hidden pulsars in
the GC; (6) search for BH-OB binaries and hard X-ray flares from young stellar
objects in young massive clusters; (7) measure white dwarf (WD) masses of
magnetic CVs to deepen our understanding of CV evolution and the origin of WD
magnetic fields; (8) explore primary particle accelerators in the GC in synergy
with future TeV and neutrino observatories; (9) map out cosmic-ray
distributions by observing non-thermal X-ray filaments; (10) explore past X-ray
outbursts from Sgr A* through X-ray reflection components from giant molecular
clouds.

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