We have discovered a central X-ray source in MSH 11-61A which most likely is asynchrotron nebula powered by a young pulsar. Correlating the position of thissource with the catalog of unidentified gamma-ray sources brought to light 3EGJ1102-6103 as a likely counterpart, making this remnant and its central X-raysource of highest importance for X-ray studies. The high sensitivity of EPICwill provide us the required input to perform a sensitive spatial, spectral andtemporal analysis in order to identify the nature of the central X-ray sourceand to further evaluate its association with 3EG J1102-6103. In addition, wewill obtain spectral information from the whole remnant which constrains thenature of the non-thermal emission component discovered in archival ASCA data.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-07-21T06:02:24Z/2003-07-22T01:13:18Z
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, Dr Werner Becker, 2004, 'XMM observations of the center-filled supernova remnant MSH 11-61A', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-xptrwty
