Classical Novae are strong X-ray emitters during the first days-months afteroutburst. Their X-ray spectrum shows two components which evolve separately: ahard one, caused by shocks in the ejecta, appearing a few days-weeks after theoutburst, and a soft one, due to residual Hydrogen burning on the surface of theWD, which becomes visible a few months later. The purpose of this proposal is toperform XMM observations of four recent, bright classical novae 1-2 years afterthe outburst, when both spectral components should be visible. We intend toobserve each object two times six months apart, to study the nature andvariability of the spectral components, to estimate typical timescales, and tolink the observed behaviour to the characteristics of the individual systems.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-03-17T21:10:51Z/2003-09-11T22:09:33Z
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 Rosario Gonzalez-Riestra, 2004, 'XMM Observations of Recent Classical Novae', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-53jc5vm
