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   PR # 43007
   VW Cep is one of the nearest, brightest and best studied W UMa-type
   contact binaries. Long-term optical monitoring suggests the presence
   of a stellar activity cycle with a period of order 8-10 years. We
   propose to observe VW Cep for 20ks exposure, in order to build on our
   ASCA AO-1 measurement (and other previous X-ray observations) of this
   object. These observations will then form the basis for long-term
   X-ray monitoring with X-ray CCD instruments, to complement the
   on-going optical programme, and provide a direct measure of the
   coronal activity levels. The extensive optical and UV measurements
   have clearly demonstrated the importance of long-term,
   multi-wavelength coverage in attempting to understand the activity
   mechanisms in VW Cep and similar systems.
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