GT-AU Mic is the most X-ray luminous and at the same time brightest single Mdwarf known within 10 pc. Very energetic flares have been observed with previousX-ray satellites. We propose to observe AU Mic to investigate its abundance andtemperature stratification, and search for temperature dependent densities andabundances. Small-scale flare variability will be looked for, and larger flareswill be analyzed in terms of temperature, density, velocity, and abundancehistories with the RGS and the EPICs. Simultaneous radio VLA/VLBA observationswill be requested to investigate flare energy releases. One EPIC MOS and the pncamera will be operated in TIMING mode to optimize for flares. The OM will usethe UVW2 filter.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2000-10-13T15:17:52Z/2000-10-14T08:34:19Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Albert Brinkman, 2002, 'GT Observations of Active Cool Stars: AU Mic', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ajare5h
