090052

We propose to use the unmatched sensitivity of XMM-Newton to detect and characterize X-ray emission of an enigmatic quasi-Wolf-Rayet star for the first time. Thousands members of this important class of post-interaction binaries are expected to lurk in the Milky Way but so far only one star was positively identified -- our target HD 45166. To advance our understanding of late stages of binary evolution and of the progenitors of stripped supernovae the X-ray examination of HD 45166 is urgently needed. We propose a low-risk high-gain XMM-Newton study designed to determine X-ray luminosity and measure the spectral hardness of this important object. With only 17 ks of EPIC time we will explore a new territory not yet charted in the X-ray . [truncated! Please see actual data for full text]