The nearest pair of colliding galaxies, the Antennae, will be imaged ina deep 80ksec XMM EPIC observation. As a result the complex X-ray structure known from the ROSAT HRI, will be mapped at high S/N and to high energies. In many areas a true spectral/spatial data cube will be obtained. From this datacube: 1. The .Super-Eddington. sources can be studied via timing and spectra to study and test the existence of 10-100 Msol black holes. 2. The two starburst nuclei can have their component temperatures and abundances measured. The hard response of XMM will detect AGN power-laws, if present. 3. The X-rays from the star-forming HII regions can be factored into XRB and hot gas components. 4. Theextended gaseous tail emission can be mapped spatially and spectrally.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-01-08T18:59:45Z/2002-01-19T01:28:20Z
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 Giuseppina Fabbiano, 2003, 'The Antennae: NGC4038/4039', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2o5bt6e
