Abstract for Proposal 094084
XMM-NuSTAR observations of the most Extreme Mass Loss events from Massive Stars
Contrary to expectations from current stellar evolutionary models,
recent observations uncovered the ejection of shells of material by
massive stars in the years before the supernova (SN) explosion. The
physical mechanism behind the impulsive mass ejection synchronized with
the stellar core-collapse is unclear. Building on our recent success
with SN2023ixf, here we propose a coordinated XMM-NuSTAR effort to map
the evolution of the broad-band X-ray spectrum of 1 nearby (d< 50 Mpc)
or X-ray bright (Fx>3 x 10^-13 erg/s/cm2) strongly interacting SN and
enable progress. Our program has the immediate goal to characterize the
medium around strongly interacting SNe, which originate from stellar
progenitors with the most extreme mass loss before explosion.
Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
Triggering Criteria: (i) SN at d<50 Mpc or with bright X-ray
emission (Fx>3e-13 erg/s/cm2 as determined for example with Swift-XRT
observations), (ii) that shows clear signatures of interaction in the
optical spectra (i.e. narrow emission lines). Trigger Response Window:
2 weeks Follow-up Observation: +100 days from the first observation.
Each of the two epochs will consist of 10 ks XMM + 50 ks NuSTAR