X-rays from V838 Mon: a New Magnetic Dynamo comma or Ejecta-Companion InteractionsquestionMark

Our discovery with XMM in 2008 of a composite Xray source that is spatiallycoincident with V838 Mon has placed unique new constraints on models put forwardto explain its 2002 outburst. The properties of the V838 Mon Xray source areconsistent with a stellar merger scenario for the outburst. Alternatively, theXray source(s) could be indicative of interactions between ejecta from V838 Monand its earlytype conpanion. Given the complete disappearance of the companionstar into V838 Mon.s ejecta shortly after our XMM detection, the new 100 ksobservation proposed here will distinguish between these two Xray sourceorigins. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]