Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are massive evolved stars approaching the end of theirlives as supernovae. Previous studies have focused on X-ray bright WR+OBcolliding wind binaries, but much less is known about the X-ray emission ofsingle WR stars. We have initiated a survey of single (non-binary) nitrogen-rich(WN-type) stars aimed at determining their X-ray properties and identifyingpossible emission processes. We have recently detected X-rays from a WN2 and aWN6 star with Chandra and an observation of a WN4 star is pending. We proposehere to use XMM EPIC to extend this exploratory survey to the later WN7 - WN9spectral types, thus providing a first-look at X-ray properties across the fullspectral sequence.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-08-30T01:44:03Z/2010-03-03T02:08:10Z
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 Stephen Skinner, 2011, 'X-Ray Emission from Nitrogen-Rich Wolf-Rayet Stars', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-17c2cer
