The spectral components of polars -- strongly magnetic CVs -- were barelydisentangled by previous X-ray missions. The physics of accretion in a stronglymagnetic, non-relativistic environment is therefore still puzzling. XMM-Newton,in principle, can solve the riddle. Even after 5 years in the mission, it wasimpossible to observe one of the bright, classical polars in a high accretionstate. We propose a triggered observation of such a system. We will investigatethe physics of the hard X-ray emitting shock, the heated accretion pole cap, theatmosphere of the white dwarf, the absorption in the shock and in the flow, thereflection from the white dwarf by phase-resolved CCD- and RGS-spectroscopy andby high-speed OM-photometry.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-01-30T11:31:06Z/2007-01-30T23:59:43Z
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 Axel Schwope, 2008, 'High-accretion rate polars - Caught in the act!', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qn0zef6
