Much has been learned about the accretion processes in AM Her type binaries frompolarimetric and spectroscopic studies. Yet the structure of the accretionregion, i.e. its shape, temperature distribution and density profile, isobservationally still not well known. The X-ray emission observable withXMM-Newton is an excellent tool to study the properties of this region. Wepropose to observe four AM Her type binaries in which the accretion region isocculted by the white dwarf for some part of the orbital cycle. From the shapeof the X-ray light curves we will be able to derive the temperature and densitydistribution in the post-shock region, the spatial variations of the accretionrate, the height of the shock and the optical depth of the post-shock region.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-11-11T06:39:41Z/2003-10-19T17:13:45Z
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, Mr Dirk Pandel, 2004, 'The structure of the accretion region in AM Her type binaries', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-uoxl49z
