A Search for X-ray Emission in Carbon-rich Wolf-Rayet Stars

We propose to use the excellent sensitivity of XMMNewton to conduct a searchfor Xray emission in five of the closest known carbonrich (WC) WolfRayetstars. Our primary objective is to determine if single WC stars withoutcompanions are Xray sources. Xray emission is expected to originate in theirpowerful shocked winds, and a few weak Xray detections have been reported. But,our review of the archive data indicates that these detections are in doubt andthe Xray properties of WC stars as a class remain essentially unknown. EPICwill reach detection limits an order of magnitude below previous values and willprovide the information on Xray emission levels in WC stars that is needed toplan a broader survey of this understudied class of luminous evolved objects. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]