HD 5980 provides a unique laboratory for studying the properties of wind-windcollisions. It contains one of only two binary systems having a WR-star in orbitwith a LBV. The latter star has been observed to undergo major changes in itswind structure over the past 35 years, implying changes in the geometry andemitting conditions of the wind-wind collision region. Ten years ago, when theLBV wind was very strong, XMM observations revealed X-ray emission consistentwith the shock cone wrapping around the WR component. Since then, the LBV windstrength has significantly declined, implying that the collision shock cone maybe inverting its orientation. The objective of this proposal is to obtain X-raycoverage of this never before observed phenomenon.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-09-19T13:14:28Z/2016-12-03T00:18:24Z
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 Yael Naze, 2018, 'A collision reversal in HD5980', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-k0wjxhe
