We propose to observe the archetypical short-period colliding winds binary V444Cygni (HD 193576) with XMM-Newton. V444 Cyg consists of a Wolf-Rayet (WR) starwith an OB companion (WN5+O6), in a 4.2 day orbit. It is one of the best studiedearly-type binary systems and is the brightest eclipsing WR + O-star binary.Previous ROSAT and ASCA observations show continuous and complicated X-rayvariability with eclipses when each star passes in front of the other. Therequested phase constrained observations will provide stringent testing ofcolliding wind models, will determine the importance of anticipated physicalmechanisms such as radiative braking, and will more generally examine theformation of X-rays in hot star winds.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-05-19T12:12:43Z/2004-10-28T04:56:40Z
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 JULIAN PITTARD, 2005, 'THE CANONICAL SHORT PERIOD COLLIDING WIND BINARY V444 CYGNI', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-j32y5eo
