Name | 086289 |
Title | Does the Wolf-Rayet Star WR 66 Harbor a Compact Companion |
URL | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0862890101 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-ntilmwz |
Author | Dr Stephen Skinner |
Description | Two independent studies have detected short-period optical variability in the Wolf-Rayet star WR 66. The optical period P = 3.5-4.1 hr is too short to be explained by the stars rotation. The most likely causes are stellar pulsations or a close companion (possibly a BH or NS) orbiting deep in the WR wind. We propose to obtain the first pointed X-ray observation of WR 66. Its X-ray spectral and timing properties will allow us to place it into context with other WR stars and may shed light on its unusual variability. |
Publication | No observations found associated with the current proposal |
Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
Temporal Coverage | 2021-02-12T08:33:55Z/2021-02-13T00:40:35Z |
Version | 18.02_20200221_1200 |
Mission Description | The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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. |
Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
Date Published | 2022-03-04T00:00:00Z |
Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, 2022-03-04T00:00:00Z, 086289, 18.02_20200221_1200. https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-ntilmwz |