Bright X-ray emission from isolated late B stars remains unexplained, asconventional theory predicts these stars neither to have coronae nor to ejectsufficiently intense stellar winds. Among those that have been detected,several of the brightest are chemically peculiar stars. We propose to observeMu Lep, the X-ray brightest HgMn star and to use high-resolution spectroscopyto unveil the source of its X-ray emission, whether shocks in stellar winds,magnetically active regions, or an invisible companion. The X-ray abundancepatterns will be compared with those in the photosphere. X-ray emission frompeculiar elements, which could provide a definite association of the X-rayswith the B star, will be sought using new atomic calculations.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-03-23T22:10:20Z/2003-03-24T11:18:05Z
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 Ehud Behar, 2004, 'Seeking the origin of X-rays from chemically peculiar late B stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3jabzli
