X-ray spectroscopy of the Hertzsprung-gap giant star 31 Com, observed with XMM-Newton

We have analysed the XMM-Newton X-ray spectra of the yellow giant 31 Com with the aim of deriving information on the coronal structures of this archetypical Hertzsprung-gap star. To determine the emission measure distribution vs. temperature, EM(T), and the elemental abundances of the coronal plasma, with an accurate line-based approach, we have developed a new method for simple and accurate line measurements, based on rebinning and co-adding the two RGS spectra. We have reconstructed the EM(T) independently with both APED and CHIANTI atomic databases in order to investigate possible differences in the final outcome of the analysis, and we have obtained consistent results. The derived emiss…