The massive binary systems, Eta Car and WR140, emit strong hard X-rays from thewind-wind collision (WWC). The joint XMM and NuSTAR observations of Eta Cararound periastron in AO13 presented detailed views of extreme hard X-rayemission from the star for the first time. The >10 keV slope has an excess fromthe thermal spectral model measured between 5-10 keV, suggesting that theelectrons and highly ionized iron ions are not in equilibrium, or reflectionemission is contaminated. We therefore propose to revisit Eta Car at orbitalphase virgul0.2 when the WWC is relatively stable. For comparison, we also propose toobserve WR140 at a similar orbital geometry, which does not show reflectionemission and whose stellar, orbital and wind parameters are precisely determined, to study the electron ion interaction.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-07-02T15:18:43Z/2015-07-16T04:55:24Z
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 Kenji Hamaguchi, 2016, 'The Electron and Ion Equilibrium in Colliding Wind Plasma', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-rxp8us5
