Only a handful of short-period (virgul 100 min) binary systems composed of whitedwarf (WD) and L dwarf (WDLDs) are known. The detection of X-ray emission fromsuch systems can be considered a clear sign for accretion because the coronalX-ray emission levels of L dwarfs are below the sensitivity limits of currentinstrumentation. Only one WDLD (SDSS J121209.31+013627.7) was detected withSwift as a relatively bright X-ray source (log(L_x) erg/s virgul 29.3). We proposeto search for orbital modulation of the X-ray emission in SDSS J1212+0136 andanother promising WDLD accretor candidate to confirm the presence of anaccretion spot on the WD. These observations will yield the strongestconstraints ever obtained for mass transfer rates in binaries with low-mass stars (virgul 5 10^(-15) Msun/yr).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-06-06T21:01:59Z/2015-06-07T04:04:43Z
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 Beate Stelzer, 2016, 'X-ray emission as a probe of accretion in white dwarf - L dwarf binaries', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-bjxo067
