GCN 44126: EP260327a: Einstein Probe detection of an X-ray transient

C. Y. Dai (NJU), Z. H. Yang, Q. C. Zhao (IHEP), W. F. Wen (SZTU), H. W. Pan (NAO, CAS) on behalf of the Einstein Probe (EP) team: 

We report on the detection of an X-ray transient by the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board the Einstein Probe (EP) mission, designated EP260327a. The transient triggered EP-WXT (ID: 01709259176) at 2026-03-27T05:54:41 (UTC). The WXT position of the source is R.A. = 215.371 deg, DEC = 42.130 deg (J2000) with an uncertainty of 3 arcmin in radius (90% C.L. statistical and systematic). 

A follow-up observation with the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT) was performed automatically. Within the WXT error circle, an uncatalogued X-ray source was detected at R.A. = 215.3746 deg, DEC = 42.1396 deg (J2000) with an uncertainty of 20 arcsec in radius (90% C.L. statistical and systematic). 

Further information will be updated when the telemetry data is received. 

Launched on January 9, 2024, EP is a space X-ray observatory to monitor the soft X-ray sky with X-ray follow-up capability (Yuan et al. 2022, Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics).