White Dwarf Spectra and Calibration of X-ray Grating Spectrometers

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

White dwarf spectra have been widely used as calibration sources for X-ray and EUV instruments. The in-flight effective area calibration of the RGS of XMM-Newton and of the LETGS of Chandra depend upon the availability of reliable calibration sources. We calculate a grid of model atmospheres for Sirius B and HZ 43A, and adjust the parameters using several constraints until the ratio of the spectra of both stars agrees with the ratio observed with the LETGS of Chandra. This ratio is independent of any errors in the effective area of the LETGS. We determine how accurately the effective area of the LETGS is determined using our method, and find interesting constraints on the parameters for both stars. We discuss the role of the Lyman pseudo-continuum in the calculation of the spectrum of Sirius B. The treatment of that pseudo-continuum appears to play a fundamental role in the ultimate accuracy that can be reached. With the proper treatment of the pseudo-continuum, the soft X-ray flux of both stars and thereby the absolute effective area of the LETGS can be determined with an uncertainty of less than 5 %.

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