For a binary to be a recurrent nova (RN), it must contain a massive white dwarfnear the Chandrasekhar limit, making it a candidate progenitor of type Iasupernova. The symbiotic RN, T CrB, is now known to be a virgul10^34 erg/s hard X-raysource. While we have initiated a program of pointed X-ray observations ofsymbiotic RN systems, other RNe are in cataclysmic variable (CV) systems with aRoche-lobe filling mass donor. Because we believe that the high X-raytemperature and luminosity seen in T CrB are due to the high mass of the whitedwarf, we expect that there are additional X-ray luminous objects among CV RNe.We propose to test this prediction by observing 4 such objects (V394 CrA, CIAql, IM Nor and U Sco) in quiescence with XMM-Newton.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-02-16T08:27:23Z/2010-02-17T02:11:32Z
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 Koji Mukai, 2011, 'Exploratory X-ray Observations of Quiescent Recurrent Novae in CVs', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-jja58iy
