Large bubbles of hot gas created by massive stars and the subsequent supernovaeare a main ingredient for the understanding of structure and evolution of theinterstellar medium. Unfortunately, the detailed physics of such bubbles andthe interaction of hot gas with the cool ambient interstellar medium could onlybe studied theoretically and at low spectral or spatial resolution up to now.We propose to use XMM for a first detailed case study of these processes byobserving the superbubble N51D in the LMC. Combination of high quality X-rayspectra and images from XMM with our imaging and spectroscopy data from HST willallow a critical test for the theories of interstellar bubbles, conductionfronts, and mixing layers.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-10-31T19:35:39Z/2001-11-01T04:38:19Z
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 Dominik J. Bomans, 2002, 'Interfaces between Hot and Cool Gas: The Superbubble N51D', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-38d4jy3
