Accretion disc winds in X-ray binaries are not spherically symmetric structures,but their solid angle is difficult to determine because we usually only samplespecific lines of sight. We can overcome this problem by studying Hercules X-1,a binary with a precessing warped disc. Its disc wind is strongly varying withina precession cycle, indicating a small wind launching angle and strong verticalstratification. However, the available data originate from many precessioncycles and could be plagued by long-term variability effects. With thisproposal, we aim to finely sample the wind vertical structure within a singleprecession cycle, free of any long term deviations, to understand the windlaunching angle, launching mechanism and to measure accurately the mass outflow rate.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-08-10T14:02:34Z/2020-08-16T04:41:24Z
Version
19.17_20220121_1250
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, Mr Peter Kosec, 2021, 'Investigating the vertical structure of the accretion disc wind in Hercules X-1', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-raxmflz
