An accreting white dwarf in a cataclysmic binary is expected to experience athermonuclear runaway resulting in a classical nova (CN). Highly-enrichedmaterial ejected at high speeds will shock and heat the surroundingcircumstellar medium. There is, however, very little evidence of diffuse X-rayemission from nova shells, but for a few. We propose here to acquire the firstX-ray observations of the CN shell IPHASX J210204.7+471015 (a.k.a. J210204)recently discovered around an UX UMa nova-like system. The size, distance, andage of J210204 make it ideal for an X-ray investigation with XMM-Newton. Theproposed EPIC observation will lead us to novel results on the characterisationof the interaction of hydrogen-poor, metal-rich ejecta with the circumstellar medium.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-05-05T15:34:36Z/2020-05-06T11:34:36Z
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, Dr Martin A Guerrero, 2021, 'Searching for X-ray Emission in a Classical Nova Shell', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-kyy8kkb
