
| Proposal ID | 078400 |
| Title | A detailed X-ray study of the unique recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0784000101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-sv8a4xj |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Martin Henze |
| Abstract | M31N 2008-12a is a recurrent nova in M31 with a unique record of 8 observederuptions in the last 8 years. The apparent recurrence period of 1 yr isunprecedentedly short, with evidence for an even shorter period of 6 months.This nova is the prime type-Ia supernova progenitor candidate. We successfullypredicted the last two eruptions and predict that future eruptions will soonenter the XMM-Newton visibility window. We propose a 100-ks XMM-Newton target ofopportunity observation of a future eruption to study in unprecedented detailthe X-ray spectrum and characterise the emission components. Additionally, wewill study the flux variability of the early supersoft X-ray phase and measurethe corresponding X-ray spectral variations and the UV variability. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2016-12-26T12:06:31Z/2016-12-28T23:29:58Z |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2018-01-19T23:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2026-03-04 |
| Keywords | "future eruption", "flux variability", "XMM", "xray spectrum", "future eruptions", "xray spectral variations", "uv variability", "M31", "shorter period", "supersoft xray phase", "recurrent nova", "XMM-Newton", "m31n 2008 12a", "soon enter", "successfully predicted", "emission components", "apparent recurrence period", "xmm newton target" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Martin Henze, 2018, 'A detailed X-ray study of the unique recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-sv8a4xj |