The objective of this observation is the discovery of X-ray emission fromSaturn.By analogy to the Earth and Jupiter, auroral X-ray emission may be the resultof ion precipitation or elelectron bremsstrahlung. A 50 ksec observation ofSaturn will be more sensitive than any previous observation of the planet byalmost two orders of magnitude. If ion precipitation is the dominantmechanism, detection is expected. Detection will extend our knowledge ofauroral processes from the UV to the X-ray region, and set the stage for furtherobservations to determine spatial distribution and spectral shape as steps inunderstanding the interaction mechanisms involved.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-10-01T10:52:34Z/2002-10-02T07:17:04Z
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 Albert Metzger, 2003, 'X-Ray Emission from Saturn', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-yox7ygx
