The High Energy X-ray Probe (HEX-P): resolving the nature of X-ray binaries, Sgr A* flares and particle accelerators in the Galactic Center

HEX-P is a probe-class mission concept that will combine high spatial resolution X-ray imaging (<10 arcsec FWHM) and broad spectral coverage (0.1-150 keV) with an effective area far superior to current facilities (including XMM-Newton and NuSTAR). These capabilities will enable revolutionary new insights into a variety of important astrophysical problems. We present simulations of HEX-P observations of the Galactic Center to demonstrate the power of the HEX-P observatory. HEX-P will be uniquely equipped to explore three major topics in Galactic astrophysics, allowing us to (1) determine the nature of compact object binaries in the central few parsecs, and the X-ray source population in the nuclear star cluster; (2) detect and characterize the highest energy X-ray flares emitted from the supermassive black hole at Sgr A*; and (3) explore PeVatron accelerators by observing non-thermal X-ray filaments and molecular clouds in synergy with the next generation of TeV gamma-ray telescopes. More information on HEX-P, including the full team list, is available at https://hexp.org.