HST observations show that two of the brightest transiting exoplanets areevaporating (HD209458b & HD189733b) and models suggest that the evolution ofclose-in planets may be dominated by this mass loss. It is believed that theevaporation is driven by X-ray irradiation of the planet by its parent star, buta lack of simultaneous measurements of irradiation and evaporation prevents ameaningful test of this model. We propose simultaneous XMM-Newton and HSTobservations of three transits of the brightest X-ray source, HD189733, in orderto test the paradigm of X-ray driven evaporation and make a direct measurementof the efficiency of exoplanet evaporation.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-05-09T20:16:00Z/2013-11-21T12:38:40Z
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 Peter Wheatley, 2014, 'Testing the paradigm of X-ray driven exoplanet evaporation with XMM+HST', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-gn6mbcj
