GT - Detailed X-ray spectral information will help to distinguish between theemission mechanisms present in this bright LINER. If it contains a .dwarf. AGN,it should show a compact, variable source whose X-ray emission has a non-thermalpower-law form. It may also show strong Fe K-alpha line emission produced byfluorescence in cold matter. On the other hand, nuclear starbursts arefrequently extended over kpac scales and are expected to show thermal spectracharacterised by coronal X-ray emission lines. The high spectral resolution ofthe RGS, combined with the long exposure time, will produce spectra of unprunprecedented detail.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-04-22T07:44:00Z/2001-04-23T22:55:37Z
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 Bert Brinkman, 2002, 'X-ray spectroscopy of the LINER M81', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-fmmar42
