A systematic search for hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray emission from Wolf-Rayet(WR) stars, performed using the ISGRI imager, led to the detection of WR 115(26-51 keV). This high-energy emission is expected to be produced by non-thermalrelativistic particles, through several possible mechanisms. However, it isstill unknown which of these proposed mechanisms is responsible for the observedemission, and whether the corresponding X-ray emission is of a thermal ornon-thermal origin. Therefore, we propose to observe this first gamma-rayemitter associated with a WR+O system. These observations of WR 115 withXMM-Newton will help to confirm the origin of the emission seen at higherenergies, and to pinpoint the emission mechanisms thanks to a thorough analysis of its X-ray spectrum.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-04-10T11:43:50Z/2008-04-11T04:13:48Z
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, Mr Jean-Christophe Leyder, 2009, 'X-ray investigation of the first gamma-ray emitter associated with a WR star', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-df7hryl
