| Name | 020068 |
| Title | DO CARBON-RICH WOLF-RAYET STARS EMIT X-RAYS? |
| URL | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0200680201 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-9pcx1lf |
| Author | Dr STEPHEN SKINNER |
| Description | We propose to conduct a sensitive search for X-ray emission in three of the closest known carbon-rich (WC) Wolf-Rayet stars. Our primary objective is to determine if WC stars without companions are X-ray emitters. It is currently believed that Wolf-Rayet stars emit X-rays via shocks in their powerful winds. However, an archive search reveals no convincing WC star detections and the WC star WR114 was recently undetected in a 16 ksec XMM exposure. The apparent absence of WC-star X-ray emission is surprising and so far unexplained, but strong X-ray absorption in their metal-rich winds may play a role. Our targets are selected on the basis of their proximity and low extinction, thus maximizing the chance of obtaining the first WC star X-ray detection. |
| Publication | No observations found associated with the current proposal |
| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2004-09-22T07:56:13Z/2004-09-22T15:24:51Z |
| Version | 17.56_20190403_1200 |
| Mission Description | The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2005-10-20T00:00:00Z |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, 2005-10-20T00:00:00Z, 020068, 17.56_20190403_1200. https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-9pcx1lf |