A dataset provided by the European Space Agency

Proposal ID 015190
Title GAS DENSITY DISCONTINUITIES IN MERGING CLUSTERS
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https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0151900101
DOI https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-xs6ez9b
Principal Investigator, PI Dr Maxim Markevitch
Abstract One of the interesting Chandra discoveries is the existence of sharp gasdensity edges in some galaxy clusters. There are two different types of suchfeatures, depending on the sign of their temperature jump: a contactdiscontinuity and a merger bow shock. Both phenomena offer unique insights intothe cluster physics, including determining the gas bulk velocity, itsacceleration, growth of plasma instabilities, strength and structure ofmagnetic fields, and thermal conductivity. The nearby clusters A3376 and A3158are striking examples of such edges. We propose to combine the approved Chandrahigh-resolution imaging with accurate temperature measurements across theseedges with EPIC, which will enable a quantitative study of the ICM physics.
Publications
Instrument EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage 2003-04-01T07:43:17Z/2003-04-01T20:50:03Z
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.
Creator Contact https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk
Date Published 2004-04-25T00:00:00Z
Keywords "chandra discoveries", "magnetic fields", "temperature jump", "plasma instabilities", "resolution imaging", "icm physics", "approved chandra", "galaxy clusters", "nearby cluster a3376", "gas bulk velocity", "cluster physics", "gas density discontinuities", "EPIC", "merger bow shock", "temperature measurements", "contact discontinuity", "striking examples", "thermal conductivity", "merging clusters"
Publisher And Registrant European Space Agency
Credit Guidelines European Space Agency, Dr Maxim Markevitch, 2004, 'GAS DENSITY DISCONTINUITIES IN MERGING CLUSTERS', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-xs6ez9b