Outbursts of novae are driven by a thermonuclear runaway at the base of anaccreted shell. Soft X-ray emission resulting from high surface temperatures onthe WD after outburst are expected, but seldom observed (SSS phase). Some novaeenter the SSS phase within a year after outburst, and quickly turn offthereafter (very fast ONeMg novae). Slow novae are delayed years after outburstbefore entering the SSS stage, which then last many years. ROSAT detected only 3novae in their SSS state; XMM has now observed virgul5. Insight into diversity andevolution of novae can be gained by determining when (or if) the SSS stagebegins, when turnoff occurs, and how this relates to composition and the mass ofthe WD. We propose to observe a dozen novae to charaterize their x-ray emission and SSS timescales.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-09-03T01:29:09Z/2009-04-12T14:11:29Z
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 Guy Stringfellow, 2010, 'Characterization and Evolution of the Supersoft X-ray Phase of Classical Novae', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-oghh9jg
