A XMM-Newton observation of Nova LMC 1995, a bright supersoft X-ray source

Abstract

Nova LMC 1995, previously detected during 1995-1998 with ROSAT, was observed again as a luminous supersoft X-ray source with XMM-Newton in December of 2000. This nova offers the possibility to observe the spectrum of a hot white dwarf, burning hydrogen in a shell and not obscured by a wind or by nebular emission like in other supersoft X-ray sources. Notwithstanding uncertainties in the calibration of the EPIC instruments at E<0.5 keV, using atmospheric models in Local Thermonuclear Equilibrium we derived T(eff)=400,000-450,000 K, L(bol)=2.3 x 110(-14) 0(37) erg cm(-2) s(-1) and we verified that the C abundance is not significantly enhanced. The RGS spectra do not show emission lines of a wind or nebula, but the white dwarf absorption lines cannot be resolved. The upper limit to the flux in the 0.6-10 keV range is 10(-14) erg cm(-2) s(-1). There is no rapid or large variability in the light curve, but we find a peak at 5.25 hours in the power spectrum.

arXiv commentAccepted to appear in the Astrophysical Journal

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• X-ray emission from classical and recurrent-novae observed with ROSAT
• The Extraordinary X-ray Light Curve of the Classical Nova V1494 Aquilae (1999 #2) in Outburst: The Discovery of Pulsations and a "Burst"
• The X-ray emission from Nova V382 Velorum: II. The super-soft component observed with BeppoSAX
• A High Resolution Spectroscopic Observation of CAL 83 with XMM-Newton/RGS
• The complex X-ray spectrum of the supersoft source MR Vel
• XMM-Newton observations of MR Vel/RX J0925.7-4758

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