Although a group of galaxies is predicted to evolve into a single ellipticalgalaxy within a relatively short span, no clear counterpart of such a mergerremnant has been identified with a direct evidence so far. Here we propose a 30ksec observation of NGC1550 to attempt a first firm identification of suchremnants, through measurements of the distribution of the gas metallicity whichis assumed to reflect the distrubution of galaxies in the past.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-02-22T09:31:28Z/2003-02-22T18:06:40Z
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, Mr Isao Takahashi, 2004, 'Identification of the remnant of a galaxy group', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ixn02qz
