SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 42023
DR. MICHAEL FRANCIS CORCORAN
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
MD USA 20771
GREENBELT
CODE 668

  E-mail: CORCORAN@BARNEGAT.GSFC.NASA.GOV	Tel: 1-301-286-5576	Fax: 1-301-286-1629
  Medium: 4GBDAT

Subject: STARS                                                       
  Title: THE NATURE OF THE X-RAY VARIABILITY OF ETA CARINAE                              


Abstract:
 Radio, optical, UV and X-ray observations show that the peculiar massive star Eta
 Car entered a new phase of activity sometime in 1992 and is still active. ROSAT PSPC
 observations showed that the variability is confined to a spatially unresolved hard
 (kT > 2 keV) source centered on Eta Car. We are monitoring the X-ray emission from
 Eta Car as part of a multi-wavelength campaign. ASCA observations are vital since
 ASCA provides the only imaging X-ray spectroscopy of the hard source available. New
 ASCA data will provide a unique measure of the present X-ray brightness of the hard
 source, conclusively determine the physical cause of the X-ray variability, test for
 the presence of enhanced nitrogen abundances in the hot plasma, and examine the important Fe line region near 7 keV.

 Co-Is:
   1  JEAN SWANK          	LHEA                          USA       
      (No Co-I contact data)
   2  ROBERT PETRE        	LHEA                          USA       
   3  STEVE DRAKE         	LHEA                          USA       
   4  STEVE WHITE         	UMD                           USA       
   5  DOUG CURRIE         	UMD                           USA       
   6  ROBERTO VIOTTI      	IAS                           ITALY     


Target Name           PRI RA        Dec        Time TC  Off GIS SIS_Cts  Obs
-------------------   --- --------  --------   ---- --  --- --- -------  ---
ETA CARINAE            0  161.2583  -59.6800    100   N   N   P  0.70000   1