A lack of close-in Neptune-sized planets, and the recently-discovered bimodaldistribution of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes from Kepler, have both beeninterpreted as evidence that exoplanet evolution is profoundly affected by XUV-driven atmospheric evaporation. The key uncertainty in this interpretation isthe energetic efficiency of the atmospheric escape, which can be measured bycombining HST UV and XMM X-ray observations, but only for nearby and youngtransiting systems. The Kepler planets are too far away, but fortunately K2 andMEarth are finding small planets that are nearby and/or situated in clusterswith known young ages. We propose XMM measurements that will be combined withscheduled HST observations to determine how mass loss efficiency depends on planet size.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-09-11T11:14:01Z/2018-09-11T23:10:41Z
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 Peter Wheatley, 2019, 'XUV irradiation of the youngest and nearest transiting super-Earths and Neptunes', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6rgt444
