M87 as the central galaxy of the nearest galaxy cluster, the Virgo cluster, isthe best laboratory to study the astrophsics of a walth of phenomena concerningthe intracluster plasma and its interaction with the central galaxy and its AGN.The most interesting observations are related to the measurement of the elementabundances and the temperature structure of the intracluster plasma, thedetailed study of the cooling flow, the study of the very interestinginteractrion of tehe jet and the radio lobes originating in th AGN of M87 withthe intracluster environment, and the detailed assessment of the mass and darkmatter distribution in the halo of M87. Due to its closeness M87 offers theopportunity to study these processes in much more detail than any other system.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2000-06-19T04:09:30Z/2000-06-19T20:51:19Z
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 Fred Jansen XMM-Newton PS, 2001, 'XMM observations of M87 comma the central galaxy of Virgo', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-illuxuu
