AM Herculis, the prototype of strongly magnetic cataclysmic binaries, escapedXMM-Newton observations so far due to visibility constraints. We now propose toobserve AM Her with full phase coverage of the 3 hour binary orbit. There is a50% chance to encounter the system in a high or a low accretion state.Observations in each state will reveal different, but equally important physicalinsight into the processes of magnetically controlled accretion. We will makesimultaneous observatiosn of the hard X-ray emitting shock, the heated accretionpole cap, the atmosphere of the white dwarf, the absorption in the shock and inthe flow, the reflection from the white dwarf. The temperatures, densities,fluxes and sizes of these regions will combine to an understanding of magnetic accretion as a whole.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-07-19T16:48:42Z/2005-07-27T18:55:53Z
Version
18.02_20200221_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 Axel Schwope, 2008, 'Magnetically controlled accretion in AM Herculis', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-n0l743b
