| Proposal ID | 069121 |
| Title | A Massive Companion to an Extremely Low-Mass White Dwarf |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0691210101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ouen8dt |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Mukremin Kilic |
| Abstract | We have recently discovered a remarkable binary system containing a 0.17 Msuntidally distorted white dwarf and an unseen massive companion. LMWD 439 showspeak-to-peak radial velocity variations of 1020 km/s with an orbital period of88 minutes. The optical photometry rules out main-sequence companions. Based onthe mass function alone, there is 62% chance that the companion is more massivethan 1.4 Msun. To distinguish between a neutron star and a massive white dwarfcompanion, we propose a search for X-ray emission from LMWD 439. Newmilli-second pulsars with companions amenable to spectroscopy are of greatinterest, as they allow for a measurement of neutron star mass. If the companionis not a neutron star, this system would be a strong candidate for a Type Ia supernova progenitor. |
| Publications |
|
| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2012-10-25T17:34:28Z/2012-12-14T19:27:30Z |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2014-01-16T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "binary system", "neutron star mass", "massive companion", "mass function", "optical photometry rules", "lmwd 439", "companions amenable", "orbital period", "1020 km", "xray emission", "neutron star", "main sequence companions", "88 minutes", "unseen massive companion" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Mukremin Kilic, 2014, 'A Massive Companion to an Extremely Low-Mass White Dwarf', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ouen8dt |