Astronomers have been aware of the outbursts in classical symbiotic binaries forover one hundred years, and yet the cause and nature of these outbursts is stillnot well understood. The underlying physical processes are probably related tothose in dwarf novae and/or the supersoft X-ray sources, but they occur in asignificantly different environment. We propose to perform a series ofobservations with XMM of any symbiotic on our target list that outbursts duringAO1. These observations will allow us to follow the simultaneous X-ray and UVspectral evolution of a symbiotic during outburst and therefore place strongconstraints on outburst models. In addition, the X-ray line emission fromshock heated colliding winds will provide information about their composition.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2000-12-23T13:26:55Z/2001-06-11T13:28:22Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Prof Phil Charles, 2003, 'Outbursts in Symbiotic Binaries', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-h34eusc
