AK Sco is a unique source: a virgul10 Myr old pre-main-sequence (PMS) spectroscopicbinary composed of two nearly equal F5 stars that at periastron are separated bybarely 11 stellar radii. The orbit is not yet circularized (e = 0.47) and verystrong tides are expected. Previous high resolution UV spectroscopicobservations carried out with the HST/STIS have shown that there is an extendedregion with plasma at logTe (K)=4.8 reaching 1.7R*. The magnetic diffusivity inthis region is very small; unusually strong tidally modulated polarimetricvariations of the system have been detected suggesting a strong coupling betweengravitational tides and the stellar field. We propose to study the variation ofthe X-ray/UV spectrum of AK Sco as the stellar magnetospheres are modified by the tide.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-03-15T21:03:32Z/2011-03-22T21:18:45Z
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, Prof Ana I. Gomez de Castro, 2012, 'AK Sco: enhanced magnetic activity in a pre-main sequence interacting binary', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-40d6y90
