Rapid rotation generates strong magnetic activity in late-type stars via adynamo. Late-type companions to the nuclei of planetary nebulae (PNe) areexpected to be rapid rotators due to accretion from the slow heavy wind of thenucleus while it was an AGB star, and hence strong X-ray emitters. Yet,XMM-Newton found two of three such stars to have X-ray activity levels an orderof magnitude lower than those of other fast rotators. This impacts on ourunderstanding of unresolved X-ray sources in PNe and may give clues as to thevital ingredients for an efficient dynamo. We aim to measure the X-ray emissionlevel of the archetype, Abell 35, and the two brightest d. symbiotics, young PNecontaining late-type rapid rotators, to test the ubiquity of this low activity.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-03-15T16:23:09Z/2007-04-30T09:03:56Z
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 Kevin Briggs, 2008, 'The X-ray Emission of Late-type Companions to Planetary Nebula Nuclei', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-jwx0vlw
