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   72064
   We propose an ASCA monitoring campaign of 1E 161348-5055, the
   mysterious compact object located near the center of the Galactic Plane
   SNR RCW 103. A recent ASCA (AO6) follow-up observation of 1E 161348-
   5055 revealed a remarkable factor of ~10 variability in flux. Thus, 1E
   161348-5055 is unlikely a simple isolated cooling NS as originally
   suggested, or powered simply by an unseen pulsar. We will follow its
   long term flux and spectral variability to constrain a possible
   accretion origin and to search for any binary modulations and/or
   transient pulsations. These measurements will provide important insight
   on the nature of 1E 161348-5055 and on the evolution of young NSs in
   general.
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