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[25.22] An Enhanced Galactic Center RXTE PCA Monitoring Program

C. B. Markwardt (U. Maryland & NASA/GSFC), J. H. Swank (NASA/GSFC)

Since 1999, the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer PCA instrument has monitored the galactic center region. An area of approximately 256 sq. deg. are covered twice weekly with scans in a diamond-shaped region. The principle goals of the program are to detect previously unknown faint X-ray transients, and also renewed outbursts of known transients. Three new millisecond X-ray pulsars have been discovered, and renewed activity from a fourth has been detected. Approximately 25 new sources have been detected in this region. With hopes of broadening the sample space and detecting new transients, especially millisecond pulsars, we have designed an enhanced PCA monitoring program. The new program extends the original region to include flanking regions along the galactic plane (with coverages of ± 4^\circ and ±25^\circ in galactic latitude and longitude, respectively). New scans are scheduled to begin in Summer, 2004. Initial results from the scans will be provided.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.