We plan to make use of XMM.s unique capabilities and employ a novel technique tomeasure the gravitational lens time-delay between the lensed images PG1115+080A1 and A2 to an accuracy of about 1percent. PG1115+080 is known to be highlyX-ray variable on short(hours) and long(months) time-scales and the time-delaybetween the closest pair A1 and A2 is expected to be about 5 hours. We thereforeexpect to measure the time-delay within a single XMM observation. We also expectto spatially resolve the diffuse X-ray component of a nearby group of galaxiesthat contributes to the lensing effect. A determination of either the time-delayor the properties of the nearby group of PG1115+080 will significantly reducethe uncertainty in present estimates of H0 based on the gravitational lens
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-11-25T19:09:41Z/2001-11-26T15:30:16Z
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 GEORGE CHARTAS, 2002, 'Constraints on H0 from Time-Delay Measurements of PG1115+080', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-bse3uos
