The secular evolution of classical and recurrent novae determines the outburstoutcome and the final fate of interacting binary white dwarf systems. We havemonitored novae that were already well studied in outburst, while they cool andresume accretion, discovering interesting facts. We uncovered evidencethatmagnetic, intermediate polar white dwarfs may be frequent in novae. We alsofound novae in which a region on the white dwarf surface remains as hot as inoutburst for years, and in one case we have observed it completely cooling. Wepropose to observe V2491 Cyg and KT Eri as they settle into quiescence, to studythis phenomenon and understand its root cause, including the possible connectionwith the magnetic field.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-11-28T14:49:57Z/2018-02-16T17:52:05Z
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 Marina Orio, 2019, 'The calm after the storm: the cooling phase of novae', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-uv0m7nl
