The recent discovery of a super-Earth transiting the bright star HD219134provides an unprecedented opportunity for detailed study of the atmosphere of alow-mass exoplanet. The K3V star is located at a distance of only 6.5pc,enabling sensitive measurements of its X-ray flux and spectrum. This isimportant because X-ray/EUV irradiation is believed to drive the observedevaporation of hot Jupiters (HD209458b, HD189733b) and Neptunes (GJ436b), andHD219134b will extended these studies to the super-Earth regime. Here we proposean XMM-Newton observation that will define the high-energy environment of theplanet and allow estimates of its atmospheric escape rate. This will aid theinterpretation of atmosphere observations with HST, Spitzer, JWST etc.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-06-13T21:38:27Z/2016-06-14T08:11:47Z
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 Peter Wheatley, 2017, 'The X-ray irradiation of the nearest transiting super-Earth', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-4h6k3g6
