We propose to continue the monitoring of the M31 core with five 23ks XMM-NewtonEPIC and five 20ks Chandra HRC-I observations equally distributed from Nov 2008to mid Feb 2009 to determine additional light curves for short supersoft source(SSS) states of optical novae. SSS states with <100 d duration indicateaccreting massive white dwarfs. They are proposed as SN Ia progenitors anddetermining their frequency is very important. We will correlate detectedsources with novae from optical monitoring. With a nova rate in the field ofvirgul25/yr and SSS states lasting from weeks to years we will follow light curves ofmany novae. Durations of the nova SSS state will allow us to constrain envelopeand whitedwarf masses. We will also monitor time variability of virgul200 M31 centre X-ray sources (mostly XRBs).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-12-30T03:03:44Z/2009-02-04T20:25:31Z
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 Wolfgang Pietsch, 2010, 'Resolving short supersoft source states of optical novae in the core of M31', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zqi4bxz
