M dwarf stars are promising targets in the search for extrasolar habitableplanets. However, the effects of the high stellar activity of M dwarf hosts mayrender them uninhabitable. Studying stellar activity at M dwarfs is hindered bya lack of measurements of high-energy radiation, flare activity and stellar windrates. We propose to rectify this by observing a sample of Post Common EnvelopeBinaries with HST and XMM-Newton. The stellar wind of the M dwarf accretes ontothe white dwarf, producing metal lines in UV spectra, from which we canaccurately infer the stellar wind mass loss rate of the M dwarf, along withabundances of key elements. Simultaneous observations with XMM-Newton will probeX-ray flare occurrence rate and strength, in addition to coronal temperatures.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-11-15T17:00:23Z/2018-07-22T08:18:02Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 David Wilson, 2019, 'Post Common Envelope Binaries as probes of M dwarf stellar wind and habitable zo', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-nyqhird
