The high Galactic latitude 3/4 keV background consists of both extragalactic and Galactic emission with uncertain relative contributions. The surface brightness shows an excess over the extrapolation of the extragalactic power law observed at higher energies which has been attributed to emission from sources as varied as a Galactic halo, the Local Group, diffuse cosmological emission, and a bump in the spectra of discrete cosmological sources. By studying the shadow of an NH enhancement in the Magellanic Bridge, the observed flux can be separated into foreground and background components, which will place clear constraints on a number of models both Galactic, e.g., halo emission is closely linked to the Galactic energy balance, and
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-04-01T14:20:05Z/2002-06-16T20:10:38Z
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 Steve Snowden, 2003, 'Shadowing by the Magellanic Bridge: the origin of the 3/4 keV background', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-cuaff4a
