An X-ray survey of ultra-active planet hosts

We propose to obtain snapshot observations of a sample of ultraactive planethosts. The sample is complete in that it comprises all known transiting systems(not observed/proposed) within 250 pc, orbital periods below 10 days and strongactivity as photometric variations in excess of 1% and/or Ca II emission; thesample does include all suitable objects detected by Kepler. The sensitivity ofthe proposed XMMNewton observations allows the detection of stars with Xrayluminosities in excess of 10^29 erg/sec. Because of the proximity to their hoststhese planets are the prime candidates for the process of planetary atmosphericevaporation through hydrodynamic blowoff. With our study we establish thehosts. highenergy properties and pave the way for meaningful followup studies. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]