A key element to understand planetary atmospheres (Solar System and exoplanets)is the time-evolution of the flux at short wavelengths (X-ray to UV) of the hoststars, having direct impact on important questions related to photochemistry andevaporation. While the high-energy flux evolution is well understood for solar-type stars, this is not the case of the later K and M stars. The proposed XMM-Newton observations will allow us to build X-ray luminosity versus agecalibrations by sampling the critical intermediate-age interval. This is done bymeasuring KM stars in wide binary pairs with white dwarf companions that we useas chronometers to determine reliable ages. The time-variation of coronaltemperature will provide additional diagnostics useful to both exoplanets and dynamo theory.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-05-10T06:51:44Z/2011-12-10T18:08:41Z
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 Ignasi Ribas, 2012, 'Calibrating the time-evolution of the high-energy emissions of GKM stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ilduoag
