We propose to validate different scenarios (pole switching vs. pole migration)of accretion in slightly asynchronously rotating magnetic cataclysmic variables(mCVs) using a 60 ksec EPIC observation of a recently identified class member.Nearly-synchronous mCVs are important probes of magnetic accretion as the fieldgeometry at the magnetospheric impact region of the accretion stream is perma-nently changing during the beat cycle between orbital and spin periods. Amongthe nearly-synchronous mCVs, RX J0524+42 has the highest degree of asynchronismnmaking it the most suitable target for this study. The proposed observationswill cover just one complete beat cycle and will reveal the location, plasmatemperature, and energy budget of the accretion regions as a function of the beat phase.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-02-22T23:23:47Z/2006-02-23T16:54:37Z
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 Robert Schwarz, 2007, 'Probing the accretion modes in near synchronous polars: The case of RX J0524+42', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-i17gido
