16 Cyg A and B are nearly the same in every way\: age, mass, radius, rotation, and evenchromospheric and chromo-coronal transition region emissions. Yet our 2016Chandra observation of the system revealed 16 Cyg B to have X-ray emissions over15x weaker than 16 Cyg A. This was a surprising result that could profoundly affect our understanding of older (7Gyr) solar-like coronae and dynamos. Several theories are advanced to explainthe vastly different levels of X-ray activity, including the possibility that 16Cyg B is currently experiencing a Maunder Minimum. XMM observations of these analogs for the future Sun are the best way of testing the theories and resolving the mystery of 16 Cyg B s missing corona.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-11-06T04:51:02Z/2018-11-07T01:07:42Z
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, Prof Edward Guinan, 2019, 'The X-ray Sun in Time: The Magnetic Dynamo + Coronal Activity of the Future Sun', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-1d81mi5
