Superclusters are the end result of the hierarchical process that formsgalaxies, groups and clusters. Clusters in superclusters are thought to formfrom matter, mostly in groups, that is flowing along filaments. Thusfilaments are thought to be the fundamental structural element ofsuperclusters. This picture has limited observational support because mostsuperclusters are too distant for groups to be reliably detected. Our workon the ROSAT All-Sky Survey at the North Ecliptic Pole has increased from 7to 21 the group and cluster membership of a previously known superclusterthere, revealing a particularly striking example of a filament. We proposeobservations of the clusters in this filament to elucidate its dynamics.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-03-12T21:21:20Z/2003-06-30T22:40:00Z
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 Patrick Henry, 2005, 'Observations of a Filament in the North Ecliptic Pole Supercluster', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-r5wqscx
