gamma Cas is the prototype of a Be star group with peculiar X-ray properties. Its X-rays may be produced either by a disk-star magnetic interaction or accretion onto a companion. We will resolve this puzzle by testing for correlations of X-ray continuum/line properties and binary phase, and also by staging optical spectroscopy and interferometry to map the disk.s spatial and kinematic properties. Large column densitychanges were found from one pair of Chandra and XMM spectra obtained at contrasting binary phases (=.74 and 0.16) when high X-ray absorption occurred. We ask: is this difference in absorption persistent with phase?
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-07-07T07:08:50Z/2010-08-20T07:32:23Z
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 Myron Smith, 2011, 'Contemporaneous X-ray spectroscopy and optical spatial studies of gamma Cas', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-0raaiun
