Extrasolar planets orbiting on short orbital distances have violent planet-starinteractions that determine their survival and evolution. We propose to utilizethe unique geometry of giant planets in elliptical orbits to study planet-starinteractions with XMM. Statistical surveys suggest an exponential relationbetween X-ray flux and the orbital distance, and we propose to measure X-rayvariability along the orbits of various planetary systems. Our XMM observationswill determine whether or not the planets have magnetospheres, sample thestellar wind and quantitatively assess planet-star interaction models. Even moreso, these observations might evoke a new way of discovering exoplanets with XMM.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-08-08T12:35:55Z/2010-08-16T22:42:53Z
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 Dennis Bodewits, 2011, 'Planet-Star Interactions in Eccentric Sytems', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2fdoa92
