RGS spectroscopy of a bright knot in one of the nearest supernova remnants(the Cygnus Loop), together with high quality EPIC images and spectra, providesa unique opportunity to understand the nature of the supernova remnant/inter-stellar medium interaction. By making use of the EPIC images as templates forthe dispersed image of the knot environs, the O VII lines will be extracted.The O VII forbidden to resonant line ratio and the O VIII to O VII line ratioallow the determination of the physical length of the emitting region alongthe line of sight. The EPIC spectra will allow accurate determination of thetemperature distribution over this portion of the supernova remnant.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-04-26T10:33:59Z/2002-11-12T06:00:11Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Terrance Gaetz, 2004, 'RGS Spectroscopy of the Cygnus Loop XA knot', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3499xuk
