We propose to perform a survey of the X-ray emission from Be stars, of both themagnetic and non-magnetic variety. Remarkably, only two Be stars (apart from thevery peculiar gamma Cas variety) have been observed in X-rays in recent times(beta Cep and lambda Eri), with very interesting results; no other Be star hasbeen observed in X-rays in the post-ROSAT era. The present survey is thus neededto bring the study of X-ray emission from Be stars, with the attendinginteresting physics of shocked winds (either magnetically confined or not) anddecretion disks into the modern era.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-12-06T20:42:14Z/2007-04-29T14:56:20Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Fabio Favata, 2009, 'A survey of X-ray emission in magnetic Be stars', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-nw9ky4s
