| Proposal ID | 086289 |
| Title | Does the Wolf-Rayet Star WR 66 Harbor a Compact Companion |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0862890101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-ntilmwz |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Stephen Skinner |
| Abstract | Two independent studies have detected short-period optical variability in theWolf-Rayet star WR 66. The optical period P = 3.5-4.1 hr is too short to beexplained by the stars rotation. The most likely causes are stellar pulsationsor a close companion (possibly a BH or NS) orbiting deep in the WR wind. Wepropose to obtain the first pointed X-ray observation of WR 66. Its X-rayspectral and timing properties will allow us to place it into context with otherWR stars and may shed light on its unusual variability. |
| Publications |
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| 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 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2022-03-04T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "wr wind", "xray spectral", "stars rotation", "compact companion", "close companion", "stellar pulsations", "shed light", "optical period", "wr stars", "ns orbiting deep" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Stephen Skinner, 2022, 'Does the Wolf-Rayet Star WR 66 Harbor a Compact Companion', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-ntilmwz |