We propose a 140 ks observation of the rapidly brightening newborn supernovaremnant SN1987A. This observation will provide RGS grating spectra andnon-dispersed with sufficient statistics to: (1) constrain element abundances,electron temperatures, and ionization times; (2) determine line profiles andshock velocities; (3) measure changes in line ratios and profiles as thesupernova blast wave enters the circumstellar ring. The members of our combinedUS-MPE proposal team have approved ongoing programs to observe SN1987A with theACIS imaging spectrometer on the Chandra observatory and optical/UV spectra fromthe Hubble Space Telescope. We will develop a unified physical model tointerpret the XMM-Newton data along with imaged data from Chandra and HST.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-05-10T10:48:43Z/2003-05-11T23:37:18Z
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 Richard McCray, 2004, 'Schock Dynamics of the Newborn Supernova Remnant SNR1987A', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-is2iq0p
