NICER detection of the new X-ray transient MAXI J1803-298
ATel #14588; K. Gendreau, Z. Arzoumanian (NASA/GSFC), T. Enoto, T. Mihara (RIKEN), W. Iwakiri (Chuo U.), H. Negoro (Nihon U.), M. Saylor, J. Pope (KBRwyle), B. Trout (MICROTEL)
on 2 May 2021; 12:56 UT
Credential Certification: Wataru Iwakiri (wataru.iwakiri@riken.jp)
Subjects: X-ray, Transient
Referred to by ATel #: 14589, 14594, 14597, 14598, 14601, 14602, 14606, 14607, 14609, 14627, 14629, 14630, 14660, 14706, 14994
Following the MAXI/GSC alert of a possible new transient (ATel #14587), NICER performed a raster scan to localize the source position from 2021-05-02T03:36 (UTC). Starting from the nominal coordinates reported by MAXI, NICER performed a series of offset pointings with about 15 s exposure for each. The preliminary source position was obtained at
R.A. = 270.80 deg
Dec = 29.80 deg
(J2000), with 3 arcmin radius uncertainty set by the NICER field of view.
The averaged X-ray flux is about 70 mCrab in the NICER energy band (0.2 - 12 keV).
The observed X-ray flux was variable. We need to continue the observation to confirm the intrinsic variability.
Further NICER observations of this source are underway. Additional multi-wavelength observations are strongly encouraged.
NICER is a 0.2-12 keV X-ray telescope operating on the International Space Station. The NICER mission and portions of the NICER science team activities are funded by NASA.