Abstract for Proposal 090327
Grating spectroscopy of shocked nova ejecta
The peculiar elemental abundances of nova ejecta reveal composition of
the white dwarf hosting the eruption. The measured elemental abundances
are necessary to estimate mass ejected by a nova from the intrinsic
X-ray absorbing column. It is relatively straightforward to estimate the
abundances of shock-heated nova ejecta with XMM/RGS spectra, however only
few novae displayed shock-powered X-rays sufficiently bright to perform
this analysis. We propose a triggered observing program to ensure the next
X-ray bright nova suitable for abundances determination is not missed.
Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
We would like to trigger on a newly discovered (or newly erupting
recurrent) Galactic nova that reached Swift/XRT count rate above 0.07
counts per second (or equivalent based on observations of another
X-ray mission) that is not dominated by super-soft (optically thick)
emission. The requested reaction time is one to a few weeks (based on
typical nova X-ray lightcurve evolution rate).