XMM Observations of Black-Hole X-Ray Binaries in Outburst

We propose to study the timeresolved Xray spectra of blackhole (candidate)Xray binaries (BHXBs) in outburst. We will be following the outburst(s)throughout their evolution over a wide range of wavelengths, and will conduct aseries of high timeresolution Xray spectral observations with the XMMReflection Grating Spectrometer. Highresolution Xray spectra will likelyexhibit emission lines and absorption edges characteristic of the accretion diskgeometry, temperatures, and abundances. We expect that they will also show thegeneralrelativistic effects of the extreme gravitational environment near theblack hole. Whenever possible we will make (near) simultaneous radio, optical,Xray timing (RXTE) and gammaray observations. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]