L dwarfs in close binaries (period virgul100min) with white dwarfs are rare althoughexpected to be the majority and representing the end stages of cataclysmicvariable evolution (period-bouncers). The detection of X-rays from WD / L dwarf(WDLD) binaries is an efficient diagnostic of accretion since L dwarf coronalemission is below the sensitivity of current instrumentation. XMM-Newton is theonly facility able to study these faint, moderately soft X-ray emitters. In AO14we detected X-ray orbital modulation in a known magnetic short-period WDLDsystem, thus setting a tight constraint on the mass transfer rate. We herepropose to continue our survey observing the only other 2 magnetic short-periodWDLDs aiming at understanding the evolutionary stage of such systems.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-01-14T04:07:21Z/2020-01-14T15:39:00Z
Version
18.02_20200221_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 Beate Stelzer, 2021, 'X-ray emission as a probe of accretion in white dwarf - L dwarf binaries', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-i5vpuof
