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We report on the X-ray spectral and spatial evolution of the Symbiotic star RAqr. Through a multi-epoch observational campaign performed with Chandrabetween 2017 and 2022, we study the X-ray emission of this binary system,composed of an evolved red giant star and a white dwarf (WD). This analysis isparticularly timely as the WD approached the periastron in late 2018/early2019, thus mass transfer, jet emission and outburst phenomena are to beexpected. Through detailed spectral analysis, we detect a significant rise inthe soft X-ray (0.5-2 keV) emission of R Aqr, likely linked to jet emission,followed by a decay towards the previous quiescent state. The hard X-rayemission (5-8 keV), is not immediately affected by the periastron passage; thehard component, after maintaining the same flux level between 2017 and 2021,rapidly decays after 2022. Possible explanations for this are a change in thereflection properties of the medium surrounding the binary, obscuration of thecentral region by material ejected during the periastron passage, or even thepartial/complete destruction of the inner regions of the accretion discsurrounding the WD. In addition to this activity in the central region,extended emission is also detected, likely linked to a hot spot in apre-outburst-emitted jet, which can be observed moving away from the system'scentral region.

Front-row seat of the recent R Aqr periastron passage: X-ray multi-epoch spectral and spatial analysis