Although the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars are well studied in someaspects, there are several properties that remain unexplored. For instance, therole of magnetic fields for the large-scale structure and dynamics of thecircumstellar envelope (CSE) has not been established. Recent results from maserpolarimetry observations indicate strong magnetic fields throughout the innerCSE. These need to be confirmed by the detection of X-ray emission from coronalactivity. We propose to observe three low- mass-loss rate, close (<300 pc), AGBstars, in order to detect and establish the origin of X-ray emission. Theobservations would be a follow-up to our recent archival search that resulted innew X-ray detections of two AGB stars.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2012-06-10T07:32:42Z/2012-08-24T11:50:18Z
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 Sofia Ramstedt, 2013, 'X-ray emission from AGB stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6odmbvd
