CI Cam is a unique X-ray binary that represents either a potential newevolutionary pathway towards type Ia supernovae (if it is a white dwarf), or anideal object to study accretion disk geometry at a regime where an advectiondominated flow is expected (if it is a black hole or neutron star). However,existing data cannot discriminate between these possibilities. We propose a 120ks observation of CI Cam with the primary objective of identifying the nature ofthe compact object. We will do this by 1) resolving the 6.7 He-like and 6.97H-like Fe lines, if present 2) investigating the origin of the brightnessfluctuations in the system and 3) obtaining the deepest observation yet of thefaint soft component in order to constrain appropriate physical models.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2012-02-20T05:29:24Z/2012-02-23T01:00:02Z
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 Thomas Nelson, 2013, 'Classifying the compact object in the unusual X-ray binary CI Cam', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-i00tlwi
