Fifteeen years of ASAS V-band monitoring have yielded strong evidence for a 7-yrstellar cycle in Proxima Cen (dM5.5e), a fully convective star that should not,according to standard models, be able to support a magnetic activity cycle likethe Sun.s. Our analysis of Swift, Chandra, and XMM data spanning seven yearsyielded results that are consistent with the optical cycle & opposite in phase.We request four 20-ks observations to extend X-ray cycle monitoring and providehigh quality spectra to compare emission characteristics at cycle maximum andmidpoint. These observations, with their high event rates and excellent timingresolution, will also be used in a novel study of microflaring, as well as ex-amination of flare spectra and dynamics to derive coronal physical properties.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-07-27T12:21:09Z/2018-03-12T02:40:57Z
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 Bradford Wargelin, 2019, 'The Stellar Cycle of Proxima Centauri', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-i8s2as9
