GT- We propose to observe the nearby galaxy M31. Our observations cover the coreand northern disk of M31. With these observations we will obtain spectra andlightcurves of a complete sample of all the high and low mass X-ray binaries andsuper-soft sources. We will get spectra of a similarly homogeneous sample ofsupernova remnants and of the diffuse emission components present in M31. Wewill detect of order 3000 M31 X-ray sources down to a luminosity of 5e34 erg/s.Classification of the few hundred brighter sources will be possible from theirX-ray characteristics alone.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-06-29T03:16:05Z/2002-06-30T01:34:48Z
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, Prof Keith Mason, 2003, 'Population Studies of M31', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-clezx3i
