Accreting white dwarfs (WDs) in binaries with red-giant (RG) donors contain apotential clue to a huge question in binary stellar evolution: can accreting WDsgrow in mass? A surprisingly large number of WDs in such binaries experiencequasi-steady shell burning, which is associated with mass retention and growth.But the cause of the shell burning is unknown. The goal of this proposal is touse XMM observations of two RG+WD binaries with recent nova-like eruptions totest the hypothesis that the shell burning is residual burning from priorthermonuclear runaways that ejected relatively little mass. Cao et al. recentlyconfirmed that RG+WD binaries produce at least some SNIa, so revealing how theirWDs can gain mass has major implications. This program is ideal for XMM.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-05-16T20:56:34Z/2016-09-29T20:27:47Z
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 Jennifer Sokoloski, 2017, 'Why So Much Shell Burning on the White Dwarfs in Wide BinariesquestionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-m7mym1g
