| Abstract
| - Based on observations with the X-ray observatories Chandra and XMM-Newton we present results from a detailed spectro-imaging and timing analysis of the central compact X-ray source RX J0822-4300 in the supernova remnant Puppis-A. The superior angular resolution of Chandra allows for the first time to pinpoint the point source nature of this object down to $0.59\pm0.01$ arcsec ( FWHM) and to determine its position: $\rm RA=08^{\rm h}21^{\rm m}57.40^{\rm s}$, $\rm Dec=-43^{\circ}00{'}16.69{''}$ (J2000) with sub-arcsecond accuracy. Spectral fits based on Chandra and XMM-Newton data provide a tight constraint on the emission properties of RX J0822-4300. Most of its X-ray emission seems to be of thermal origin. A model spectrum consisting of two blackbody components with $T_{1}\simeq 2.6\times10^{6}$ K, $T_{2}\simeq 5.0\times10^{6}$ K and $R_{1} \simeq 3.3$ km, $R_2 \simeq 0.75$ km for the blackbody temperatures and the size of the projected emitting regions, respectively, provides the best model description of its spectrum. A search for X-ray pulsations from RX J0822-4300 revealed an interesting periodicity candidate which, if confirmed, does not support a scenario of steady spin-down.
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