GT- WR 40 (=HD 96548) is a Wolf Rayet star of spectral type WN8 located ratherfar away from the Galactic plane. Its spectrum is variable (Moffat & Isserstedt1980) and particularly rich in emission lines and P Cygni profiles. The UV linesexhibit changes that are interpreted by Smith et al. (1985) as signs of ashocked stellar wind flow. The star is surrounded by the axisymmetric ringnebula RCW 58 which is classified as containing stellar ejecta, an almost uniquefeature for such a late-type WN star.Ring nebulae offer also the opportunity tolook for the X-ray signature of the interaction of the high speed ejectedmaterial with the interstellar matter.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-02-23T23:48:14Z/2002-02-24T06:36:48Z
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 Keith Mason, 2003, 'The variable WN8 star WR 40 and its ring nebula RCW 58', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-dfzne23
