Nova TrA 2008 (NR TrA) has evolved into an eclipsing system dominated by highexcitation permitted lines. The light curve resembles that of V Sge, with abroad minimum covering close to half the 5.25 hour period. The high excitationlines and the blue continuum both eclipse. Optical spectra of NR TrA and the VSge stars resemble persistent supersoft sources like Cal 83 in the high optical(low X-ray) state, and may all be powered by white dwarfs undergoing steadynuclear burning on their surfaces. We propose an observation of NR TrA to obtainthe X-ray and UV light curves. Combined with the optical light curve andphase-resolved spectroscopy, we can map the distribution of hot gas in thesystem and, using tomographic techniques, make a complete geometric model of the system.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-03-13T06:21:02Z/2017-03-14T10:36:02Z
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, Prof Frederick Walter, 2018, 'Is NR TrA a Persistent SSS SourcequestionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ia72u06
