GT-We propose to perform XMM observations of bright eclipsingpolars in order to solve several open questions of magnetic accretion: What are the sizes of X-ray emitting hot spots on the whitedwarfs? Is there X-ray emission from the accretion stream and the secondary star (spectral type typically M5V)? What is the influence of the magneticfield on the cooling plasma? The proposed observations will make full useof the combined optical/X-ray telescope assembly onboard XMM, sinceall major emitters can be observed in one observation: soft and hard X-rayemission from the hot spot, cyclotron radiation from the spot and recombination radiation from the stream in the optical.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-05-16T16:51:01Z/2002-05-17T03:26:17Z
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, Dr Michael Watson, 2003, 'The brightest eclipsing and two-pole accreting polars SSC_31', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-prdqdkh
