Despite its relatively high abundance amongst early-type stars, only a few B-stars have ever been observed with gratings. This resulted in our current poorunderstanding of the nature of X-ray emissions from these objects. High-resolution X-ray spectra of O-stars provides us a case where such gratings havesignificantly inproved our knowledge of the physical parameters, notably byrevising down the mass-loss rates of those objects. We thus propose to completethe high-resolution survey of early-type stars by observing the X-ray brightestB stars, i.e. within reach of XMM RGS. They will help us better characterize andunderstand the overall X-ray emission of these hot objects, and its impact onthe B-star winds.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-11-15T02:11:45Z/2013-11-18T05:40:11Z
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 Yael Naze, 2014, 'Probing the high energies phenomena at work in early B-type stars using the RGS', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-m7s739a
