The cluster mass function is a direct and sensitive cosmological probe. Atpresent, however, a direct derivation of the mass function is impossible, atleast at low redshifts. Thus a convenient proxy, the temperature function, isused for cosmological studies, involving a rather uncertain temperature-massconversion. This conversion must be calibrated, and XMM is perfectly suited forthis task. We propose to measure the gas temperature distribution in threenearby, relatively relaxed clusters spanning a range of temperatures from 4 to10 keV: A133, A1650 and Triangulum Australis. These observations will providehighly accurate mass values within r_500. Together some nearby relaxed clustersalready in the program, these systems will establish the M-T relation at low z
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-02-17T13:51:06Z/2001-03-02T02:46:24Z
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 Maxim Markevitch, 2003, 'FROM THE CLUSTER TEMPERATURE FUNCTION TO THE MASS FUNCTION AT LOW Z', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pofj5yw
