With ROSAT, an X-ray source (RX J1745.6-2900) has been found coincident with theposition of the Center of the Galaxy (Sgr A*) within 10. Most likely, thisobject is identical to a hard X-ray source found by other instruments. However,the absorption found with ROSAT does not agree with the extinction found in theNIR for the whole region. Therfore we conclude that either Sgr A* is subject tovery local absorption or RX J1745.6-2900 is an unrelated background source. Intrying to find an answer to this question, we propose to measure both theabsorption and the position more precisely. This study relates to the overallmapping of the Galactic Center Region (Decourchelle et al.). Combining bothobservations provides an information about possible source variabilities.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-02-26T03:16:43Z/2002-10-03T11:42:16Z
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 Bernd Aschenbach, 2003, 'Is Sgr A* the X-ray source RX J1745.6-2900', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ny9w1lr
