XMM-Newton observations of WR140 through periastron passage

WR40 is the archetypal long period WR+O colliding wind binary (CWB) system,where the wind from the WR star collides with the wind of its massive companion.Its Xray brightness, giant IR outbursts, and distinctive nonthermal radiolightcurve are all attributed to the windwind collision region (WCR), theproperties of which dramatically change due to the exceptionally high orbitaleccentricity (e > 0.88). XMMNewton observations through periastron passage willprovide data to determine the key parameters of this system and the physicalprocesses occuring at the WCR. Detailed modelling of the 3D hydrodynamics andthe emission and absorption processes occuring within the WCR and stellar windenvelopes, and spanning the radio to TeV domains, will underpin our data analysis. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]